The Happy School

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

After yesterday's sights of S-21 and a day of contemplating what had gone on here just a few decades ago, I was in need of a serious pick me up, a reminder that all is not wrong in the world. Lucky for me there was Paraic and Salaa Sabia (Cambodian for Happy School)

Penne was put in touch with Paraic, through her best friend back in Melbourne. Paraic, originally from Ireland, was traveling a few years ago and decided to stay and work as a teacher in Cambodia for a few months. The school he taught at was nothing more than a tarp over concrete and during the following monsoon season was completely blown away. Along with some of the other foreign teachers they couldn't just pick up and leave and had to do something to help. Paraic and his colleagues formed two organizations - Australians for Cambodian Education (ACE) and Ireland for Cambodian Education (ICE) and started raising funds. They were able to build a school and buy all the equipment needed for a classroom in July of 2003. With the latest funds they've been able to secure 5 computers which should be arriving tomorrow!

Penne and I were so excited to get a chance to play with the kids and help out with Paraic's classes. In the morning we headed straight towards the Russian Market to stock up on school and art supplies for the kids. Its amazing how much you could buy for so little. We arrived just as the older kids were finishing up their morning session with the school master teaching them in Cambodian. Paraic introduced us to the class and we were greeted with the biggest smiles and loudest Hellos. It didn't take long to realize how serious Paraic took his job as he explained to us how he'd like us to help with the next lesson, taking advantage of the fact that he now had two new accents for the kids to hear. At the same time in the second classroom the younger children were having their Cambodian lessons.


While one of us was in the classroom working with Paraic the other spent some time with the much younger kids. These children around the age of 4 and 5 were too small to be in the young class, but were often sent to school by their parents as they had no one else to take care of them. Now this took a bit of effort. A few of the little ones were to scared to leave their older siblings sides (i know i can look pretty rough in the morning, but i didn't think i looked that scary). So we only had two Charly and Lakhana to take care of. Easy. Hah! not quite. We pulled out our bag of goodies with markers, crayons, paints, and paper and watched as the girls tried to hold them. As Charly, who it turns out is either very happy or very sad was trying to explain to me in Cambodian that she wanted water. I didn't have a clue of course. I look over at Lakhana thinking some how she could enlighten me on Charly's needs only to find her using her colored pencils as a lip liner - well atleast it wasn't the markers.

During playtime before it was time for the young class's english lessons Paraic took us around, introducing us to those who keep Happy School running, including the Centre Manager, the Headmaster, one of the teachers and the full time security gaurds. It was refreshing to see that the school was not only staffed by foreign volunteers but locals wanting to make a difference.

The next goal for The Happy School is to raise funds and create an area that can be used by the smaller children as a kindergarden. Space however is limited and there is not enough room to have a new building as well as as an area for the children to play. The classroom that was built, a 1 room structure is up on stilts. So they came up with the idea of having the space underneath, which currently is just mud, filled with concrete. This would provide the younger kids a shaded area to play without utilizing precious playground space.

If you're interested in reading more about the Happy School and on how you can help the website is
www.acecambodia.org.au


I have to tell these kids were amazing. So smart, ready to learn, full of life. They were all so eager to learn and play. I don't have to tell you, take a look for yourself


I'm off to Saigon in the morning, sans Penne since her visa doesn't take affect until Tuesday. The plan is to start off with a bit of exploring for a few days down the Mekong Delta. Doubt they'll be interent so you'll get a break from BG for a bit :) Have a great weekend!

xoxo
BG