Champey Academy of Arts has grown from a summer program into a school that offers year round classes to disadvanged students including those with special needs or other unique challenges who can attend classes in painting,drawing and traditional Cambodian dance and music. Champey is a safe space for all students and regardless of background, all are welcomed. Classes are offered 6 days a week year round with a daily roster of 100 students who attend either a 3 hour morning or afternoon session.
Organizations in Phnom Penh, including Cambodia's Ministry of Education, offer little assistance to young people who face unique challenges. Champey provides a welcoming refuge and safe space for children and teens facing special challenges. These include kids from dysfunctional families, kids from families impacted by extreme poverty, as well as kids with learning disabilities, gender identification challenges and some students who would qualify as developmentally disabled.
Students learn the basic steps and stories of traditional Cambodian dances and music and have class room opportunities to demonstrate their achievements. Students also have an opportunity to develop advanced skills not only in dance and music but also in the drawing and painting classes which offer students new ways to express themselves while they build self esteem and discipline. Champey offersits classes, free of charge, year round for students.
We have seen since we began in 1999, that our classes in dance, music and art provide fun, education, friendship and team building skills to disadvantaged children. The discipline and accomplishment gained from participation in the program builds self esteem and allows these students to be better prepared for adult life. We have seen many times,over the years, where our students transform themselves from their role of student to teacher or mentor as they themselves become teachers.
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