By Jim Elliott | Project Leader
Helping Hands Cambodia: Quarterly Report
Balancing Education and Family Responsibilities
The past three months have been a dynamic and eventful period at Helping Hands Cambodia (HHC), filled with progress and perseverance. This time of year marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest, celebrated across Cambodia with Bon Om Tok and the Water Festival.
However, for many students, it has also been a challenging period. Balancing state school exams and family responsibilities during the harvest season has placed additional pressure on them. To support our students through this busy time, HHC has continued to offer a nurturing and engaging learning environment, complemented by special projects designed to keep spirits high. Among these initiatives are the revitalization of the school farm and teacher training with updated resources.
Education
In Cambodia, the academic year concluded in November for most state schools. Although Helping Hands operates independently, our academic calendar aligns closely with the state system, allowing students to manage both their commitments seamlessly.
As the school year wrapped up, our teachers focus on completing course material, reviewing lessons, and administering end-of-year assessments. These evaluations enable us to adjust student placements and refine courses for the upcoming academic year.
This transitional period also serves as an opportunity for our teachers to update curriculum topics and incorporate new teaching tools. Our English teachers meet regularly to discuss student progress and explore innovative activities to enhance classroom engagement.
Food and Farming
With the rainy season ending, the school farm has entered a fertile phase, ready for planting new crops. At Helping Hands, students play an active role in maintaining the land, working in groups during assigned class times. On the last Friday of each month, regular classes are paused so that all students, teachers, and staff can come together to work on the farm.
The farm is primarily cared for by the kitchen staff, who also prepares daily breakfasts for the students. Thanks to these efforts and the support of recent volunteers, the farm is thriving. The vegetables harvested are incorporated into the students’ meals, providing both nutrition and a hands-on agricultural learning experience. Maintaining the farm is an ongoing effort, especially with the challenges posed by the dry season, but with dedication, it continues to flourish.
Community and Social Work
While we celebrate the achievements of recent months, we remain acutely aware of the challenges faced by many families in our community. For some, education is viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity due to financial hardships.
Our Social Worker has been working tirelessly to support these families, meeting with parents and students to stress the importance of education. His efforts, combined with the commitment of our teachers, create a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to learn.
The presence of dedicated teachers and the availability of unique experiences—such as creative workshops and agricultural activities—continue to inspire our students and highlight the value of education beyond traditional state school settings.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the past three months, we are proud of the resilience and progress demonstrated by our students, staff, and community. With the new academic year on the horizon, we look forward to further strengthening our programs and providing meaningful opportunities for learning and growth.
Thank you for your continued support in making these achievements possible. Together, we are empowering the next generation in rural Cambodia.
By Richard Cross | Project Leader
By Richard Cross | Project Leader
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