CCT

Cambodian Children’s Trust

Today we had a special opportunity, to be shown all the projects CCT (Cambodian Children’s Trust) do in Battambang. Lauren (who went to Loreto Normanhurst) is volunteering there and she took us to see the Youth Centre, the Activity Centre, the Pre School, the Art gallery and Jaan Baai (the restaurant).

It’s not an orphanage, the children live in squalor and poverty in the slums. Children who are orphans live with foster families which is amazing because it’s hard to find foster families in Cambodia. The kids are picked up every morning to go to their Cambodian school, which is only a few a hours, then they go to the Youth or Activity Centre to do more curriculum work (because in Cambodia the teachers only really help their students if they are paid or bribed etc). 

Here's a boy at the Activity Center playing soccer. I retouched his face because it's important to respect and protect the children's identities. That's why there aren't photos (except Srey Pech, because we got permission), of the children. Look at the art work on the soccer field - it's stunning!

The kids don’t have to pay to go to CCT, but because their families think their children can support the family by working, they are reluctant to send their kids. SO CCT supports the families too, providing rice and medical care and other things.

They have a vegetable and fruit garden where they grow leafy greens, which are used at the restaurant but also for the children’s lunches. Lauren explained that because poorer Cambodians don’t learn about nutrition they don’t realise how important fresh food is. She said they mostly eat packet stuff, which is filled with sugar and preservatives. 

CCT is building a school in the cloud. This is a computer school where the lessons are taught on the computers. They are looking for “grannies” in any country who will mentor and teach the kids on the internet. Mum’s going to be a granny!

All of the teachers, and workers are Cambodian. There are very few foreigners working there, actually only 7, but they hope by next year it will be fully Cambodia run. Of course, they need funding, which has to come from wealthier people, which is pretty much anyone in Australia!

I met Srey Pech, who is almost 11 years old. I’m helping her attend CCT. 

Driving back to Wat Kor village, I took a few more photos. Of COURSE Mum suggested I take the Governor’s Residence because it demonstrates the French Colonial history still shadowing Cambodia. The bridge isn't colonial!