By Glenn Fawcett | Executive Director
In its first year, our Cambodian Tertiary Education and Leadership Youths Training Program, (CATALYST) supported tertiary studies for 28 female Cambodian youths through the 2016-17 academic year and after which 3 graduated from the Nursing stream.
The new academic year for Cambodia commenced in November 2017. Post-graduation, 25 of 28 youths remained in the program and after which Lotus Outreach International approved an additional 10 seats for a total of 35 scholars to be supported for 2017-18.
After an arduous social audit of year 12 high school graduates from our Girls Access To Education (GATE) program, we have now filled 34 places, most popular majors being; 7 English Literature, 8 Accounting and 5 in Finance/Banking and Management.
When the young women from underprivileged Cambodian families come to us they are not strong in English and Internet communications, further they are very shy and unworldly.
CATLALYST program is therefore designed to provide extracurricular activities that will build confidence where there was shyness and bridge gaps in their experience and knowledge, especially where English and internet communications are concerned.
Activities that are being provided at present include multiple approaches to improving English language including, learning how to introduce themselves and tell a story, keeping a daily journal in English, regular interaction and sharing information and experiences as a group on the CATALYST Facebook Messenger page.
In order to help these village girls become more confident while navigating a city environment, we take them on excursions to places of cultural interest such as the National Museum, the Royal Palace and also to local movies and restaurants. During these visits the young women are given jobs to do such as approaching the ticket booth to get everyone’s tickets and passes, taking charge of refreshments and ordering the food and drinks, being the group leader and etc.
The group play trust games to build a sense of solidarity and which also builds individual confidence.
It is difficult for us to imagine how completely green and innocent these girls are when they arrive in the city from small villages where they know and are known by everyone. On arrival they are not able to converse with anyone as according to their custom, all are strangers. Even when in the group with us they still take time to come out of themselves.
We need help them transform so they can present themselves confidently at a job interview and it is wonderful to see how quickly they open up and mature as the gaps in their knowledge are filled. Conversing in English is a tremendous confidence booster and we are currently developing ways to further accelerate their learning and confidence using internet technology.
Some confidence building activities:
Thank you for being an integral part of the team that supports these young women!
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