Find out what Somath, our Librarian, has to say about the JWOC library

Our Library Sessions

From day to day the library is popular and is known to many students and children who live nearby. They like coming to read, to play, and to join all of the activities happen in the library every day. There are a lot of games, toys, books (Khmer books, English books, bilingual) waiting for children and students. The schedule of activities in the library is very busy. Everyone is welcome to the library.

Travel Aid and High School Intern students made a five days per week summer program for one month in August to make children happy and learn from the games and activities such as coloring, painting, dancing, singing with both English and Khmer songs. The children were very satisfied with all the activities led by Travel Aid and High School Intern students. They made a big picture and posters which we put on the library wall. The activities led by Travel Aid and High School Intern students made the library more popular and active. They left a lot of great memories to children. It is a good time for Cambodian students to learn from the Western students. Thus, we both learned from one another. We are very happy to have Travel Aid students lead summer activities in our library. We hope that this will happen every year.

Open toy box time is very popular for children to play with toys and games that can help them learn English and have creative ideas such as puzzle games, building block, memory games …etc. that are appropriate for children. In order to keep the library interesting, we have to buy new games and books every month. Fortunately, some child-friendly games and toys and English books were donated by Asia Foundation Organization, Room To Read Organization and other generous volunteers and guests who came to the library and were involved in the activities.

Soft toys are very popular toys in the library. The children really like to cuddle them while they are reading. Some children like taking picture with these toys. The majority of children always pick up the soft toys first before take the books to read.

We have many sessions in the library. One of these, quiet time, is the good time for older children and adults to research their lessons and increase their general knowledge through reading. We also have sets of books for teacher resources, some were donated by Room to Read Organization and Asia Foundation. These books are great for reading comprehension. The teachers can borrow these sets of books for their students to read in the class, or they can book the library for the reading session.

Story time is very important for little children who cannot read. Older children are also interested in this session. They can learn both Khmer and English story every session. After the session the children can summarize the story and tell to their friends. We then have coloring and paper folding (they learn how to make bird, crane …etc.) time afterward. We copy the coloring sheets for them. We have water color, oil color, pencil color, and crayon for them to use. Sometimes they draw the pictures on their own. These sessions are good for them learning drawing, coloring, and listening.

These are all the activities that happen every day in the library. It is good to see children and adults come in every day and we will try to improve the library regularly so that more and more students come in. If you would like to find out more about our library please click here

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone that donated to our Back to School wish list! We have now been able to get everything apart from the new benches needed in Laos. This is a great joint achievement!

If you are able please donate $55 to buy a new desk and bench like those above to replace the old, uncomfortable and in places dangerous ones in the classroom at the moment.

Go here to donate- http://www.journeyswithinourcommunity.org/support/donate/

Back to School!

Back to School! This familiar phrase is all around us now, signifying the end of the summer vacation and the start of another school year!

For many parents and grandparents it’s a time of buying all that is needed for the new school year- books, uniforms, pens and more. This September we’re asking that alongside your regular purchases you also buy something for a child in Southeast Asia.

JWOC has a Back to School Wish List of things we need to help us give children the opportunity to learn. Take a look at the list and see what you could donate.

Uniform set for a school child - $10

Uniforms are compulsory in the state schools in Laos, but the cost is prohibitive for many of those living in rural areas. By providing a uniform you are providing an opportunity to go to school. The set consists of two shirts or blouses and two skirts or trousers plus a pair of shoes.

Mark your donation – Uniform

Click here to donate.

English Dictionaries for language learners- $12

English to English dictionaries are a great way for students at a conversational level of English to extend their vocabulary and understanding. Having enough copies for a class means teachers can incorporate their use easily into a lesson.

Mark your donation – Dictionary

Click here to donate.

JWOC Teacher sets - $14

JWOC’s Free Classes Project relies on its enthusiastic and committed teachers to be able to deliver free but high quality English and Computer classes. This teacher set provides our teachers in Cambodia and Laos with the basics they need to run their classes. Each set consists of 3 refillable board markers and ink, 1 board eraser, 1 folder to keep all the paperwork neat and a copy of the Teachers’ Book for the course they teach.

Mark your donation – Teacher set

Click here to donate.

Muang Nga Teacher packs- $15

Limited government funding on education means public schools don’t always get the budget they need. These teachers’ packs make sure that the teachers at Muang Nga Primary School in Laos get at least the essentials so they can get started with their classes. Each pack consists of pens, board markers, attendance books, report paper and other needed school stationary.

Mark your donation – Laos teacher

Click here to donate.

20 sets of computer class books- $20

JWOC’s computer classes are extremely popular as they provide a chance to learn vital new skills for free, giving students from poor families the opportunity to increase their job and education prospects. The set consists of 20 copies of the text book used in the classes.

Mark your donation – Computer books

Click here to donate.

Class set of mini-whiteboards- $25

These mini-whiteboards help make language learning fun by providing scope for numerous interactive games and practical activities. These will be used in our Free Classes in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar enhancing the lessons of students of all ages and levels. Each set consists of 20 boards, pens and erasers.

Mark your donation – Whiteboards

Click here to donate.

10 sets of English course materials - $35

Being able to study English for free is an amazing opportunity for disadvantaged children and adults living in Southeast Asia. JWOC’s Free Classes provide this opportunity to over 600 students. These sets of course materials provide our students in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar with their own copy of the textbook, workbook and mini-dictionary.

Mark your donation – English

Click here to donate.

Complete sets of language learning flashcards- $55

Flashcards help make lessons more interesting, interactive and fun, benefiting both our teachers and students. These complete sets cover all key vocabulary at each level we teach. The cards are in colour and laminated making them eye-catching and durable.

Mark your donation – Flashcards

Click here to donate.

Book cabinet- $65

Muang Nga School in Luang Prabang, Laos, is a public primary school and also the site of JWOC’s free weekend English Classes. It unfortunately lacks some of the basic facilities we usually expect in a school, such as somewhere safe to keep books and other teaching materials. These lockable cabinets will be a great addition to the classrooms.

Mark your donation – Cabinet

Click here to donate.

Reading and Drawing class materials - $110

Opportunities for relaxed reading and creative activities are very often lacking from the public school timetable due to the time constraints caused by having too few schools and teachers. JWOC’s Reading and Drawing Classes in Laos and Myanmar give children those opportunities. The set of materials consist of children’s books in the local language, colouring sheets, crayons, coloured paper, glue, scissors and more, plus a big box to keep in all in.

Mark your donation – Reading

Click here to donate.

Classroom set of new desks and benches- $845

The old benches and desks Muang Nga Primary School in Laos are at best uncomfortable and crowded at worst dangerous, with nails and splinters sticking out. The new sets will provide more space for each child, a better writing surface and more comfort. The desks are hand-made locally to a high quality meaning they will last a long time, benefiting many students over the years. A classroom set consists of 15 desks and benches.

Mark your donation – Desks

Click here to donate.

New video from Clean Water Project Manager Sokhorn

For his post this month Sokhorn has made a short video describing the need and impact of his project. Watch to find out more-

More about the fun summer- Rachel describes her experience

In this post TravelAid volunteer Rachel gives insight on what it is like to be a summer activities coordinator and how much happiness it can bring...

Having been a Brownie and helping out for a few years after, I found ideas for crafts, games, sports and songs come flooding back when we sat down to plan the 3 week summer programme. We tried to run one lively and one calmer activity in each morning/afternoon session, and all the kids loved to take part in everything. I’ve never seen boys colouring so neatly or singing so heartily!

Most mornings we started with an action song such as Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (a firm favourite –especially at high speed!) or Incy Wincy Spider. It’s so impressive how quickly they pick the songs up; most of the children aren’t great at reading English when we write the words on the board - it amazes me how well they can listen so carefully and repeat the words so accurately. And they understand the words, too (well, most of the time); one afternoon I sat down next to a girl who was flicking through a story book, pointing to the body parts of a frog and naming them in English!

They love party games such as musical statues and Duck, Duck, Goose, and it’s been great to learn some similar Khmer games. The kids are more than happy when sat outside in a circle with the suspense of maybe being picked next to race around and back to the same spot!
Duck duck goose and ladders game photos

A highlight of the sports activities has to be the sports day. We drew out a chalk race track on the playground, split the kids into Team Monkey and Team Rabbit and set up a score board. With the help of Reak Smey translating, the events kicked off with the relay, followed by a skipping race (most kids had an interesting technique, but it seemed to do the trick!). Next was a slow and focused egg and spoon race followed by a three legged hop, with no casualties, thankfully! Throwing and hula hoops competitions, an obstacle course and Bulldog resulted in a 4-4 draw so we awarded everyone with a medal they’d made in a previous craft activity, and a snack. They absolutely loved it!

The theme of our second week was Nature, so one morning we took to the garden and gave it a spring clean; all the kids came of their own accord and started helping me yank up weeds, saying ‘Cha!’ reproachfully when I accidently pulled up a plant.

We also taught them the names of fruits, and organized a treasure hunt, hiding rambutans all over the garden.

Working here in Siem Reap has been an absolutely brilliant experience. I will never forget the affection the children show and their shouts of ‘Cha, Cha!’ when they want to show me their work or wave goodbye. Their constant shouts, squeals, giggles and general excitement brings it home how much they love the school – it’s so valuable in providing a space for play, friendships and an opportunity to use resources they may never otherwise see. JWOC does such a valuable job, it’s great!