First impressions of JWOC

Standing in the visa line in Siem Reap after arriving in a swathe of sunshine and tourism, I knew Cambodia was going to be very different from my previous country of residence, Bangladesh. Having traveled through Cambodia before, I knew a little about the country’s history and culture; and as the nostalgia pulsed through my veins in the immigration queue and my passport was being stamped, I was very much ready to make Siem Reap my home and take on a new challenge.

I was excited.

Let me provide some context: Siem Reap is a town built upon tourism. The temple complex of Angkor Wat draws in visitors from around the world to come and view its spectacle. This is great for the local economy, bringing in what I imagine is millions of dollars, which in turn should have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of those living in and around it. However, given that Cambodia is a developing country, we know that is not always the case.

Those who have visited Siem Reap know that as well as the five-star hotels and resorts, there is still visible poverty and inequality amongst many Cambodians who are looking to benefit from a portion of the millions available.

This is where Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) comes in, providing a range of services and programs in and around Siem Reap, to make sure local residents can improve their quality of life. Through innovative programs based in the heart of the community (Scholarships, Free Classes and Community Support), JWOC has managed to create a rapport and understanding within the community beyond any traditional NGO.

Knowing this, I was still quite nervous on my first day (as most of us are); however, after walking into the community center for the first time, all my nervousness quickly subsided. Students were playing tag. What could be more natural? Phew!

This initial experience perfectly sums up JWOC and the aura that exists here – the enthusiasm and professionalism of the scholarship students and staff we have is exemplary and clear to see by all involved. I was lucky enough to arrive in Cambodia just in time to ride with the students on the 30 km “Race 4 Change” Angkor Bike Ride and to then celebrate their achievements at the graduation party. I have since experienced their fieldwork in villages, their classroom teaching and witnessed JWOC’s ability to transfer such enthusiasm and work ethos into the programs.

You may walk into JWOC with a frown, but nobody walks out with one!

From the first day at JWOC up until now I have found myself engaged in every aspect of an exciting and vibrant organization filled with youth enthusiasm and spirit; and, with the 10th anniversary of the organization coming up next year, a celebratory mood.

As the Communications and Fundraising manager, I have the responsibility of highlighting and showcasing JWOC in the best way possible, both outside and inside our walls. And as far as I can tell, JWOC is already doing this for me!

So as the nostalgia in my veins runs out, I find it being replaced with optimism and anticipation for the coming months.

Final Science Presentations!

Earlier this month, students of our Free Classes science curriculum recapped the topics they've learned in a final presentation! Twenty-six students participated, each one choosing a topic among the twelve lessons. Topics included Plants, Animals, Food Chain, Environment, Hygiene and Health, Nutrition and Human Body, and more. Parents and previous science students also joined in to show their support!

           

 "It was a great time for them to show what they have learned from here to their parents and everyone. I was so proud of what they have done!"  - Teacher Nesa

JWOC goes Back to School!

Here at JWOC, we believe that education is the key to success. It lays the foundation for opportunity and growth, both personally and professionally, for students of all ages. This year, over 1,000 students have enrolled in JWOC courses spanning from English to Science to Computer Literacy. In addition, our library has hosted a number of community learning activities like drop-in art classes, kindergarten classes and a variety of trainings - all free to our students. And with each course our Free Classes program offers, our hope is to instill lessons that transcend the classroom and bring about positive change within the community. 

Eng Kea and students at International Youth Day, August 2015

One of the many JWOC staff that helps make this hope a reality is Eng Kea. He is our Free Classes Assistant Manager for Program Development and a scholarship student who has been volunteering in Free Classes for four years! At just 22 years old, he has made a lasting impression on the program and a huge impact on the lives' of the students he teaches.

"The reason why I love Free Classes is because of the Free Classes' vision... it is similar to my goal that I want to be an English Teacher at University who can share knowledge and experiences of teaching to the children and people in my own community and the world."

Eng Kea currently teaches our Way Ahead and Smart Choice classes, which are part of our English language curriculum. Way Ahead is our longest running children's program that brings together language lessons and grammar with games and songs for students aged 9-15. And the Smart Choice series is for students who have finished Way Ahead but aren't quite old enough to join our adult classes. To learn more about our Free Classes offerings, you can visit our website!

We're so happy and lucky to have Eng Kea and the many other staff and scholarship students working within the Free Classes Program. They help our vision come to life. And as we enter this new academic year, we want to strengthen our collective impact on the students we teach and support a community so eager to learn. Your donation can make a huge difference in our students' lives. Give the gift of education and support the students who attend JWOC's Free Classes today!

Thank you so much for your continued support of JWOC. Looking forward to this new year of Free Classes!

Our View, Our Story - JWOC Scholarship Student Photo Exhibition

Last Sunday, friends gathered at New Leaf Book Cafe to celebrate the incredible photography of JWOC Scholarship Students. 

In partnership with PhotoForward, an international media arts programme, JWOC scholarship students participated in a two week photography workshop where they learned skills in digital photography, editing and visual storytelling. The result: a catalog of captivating images of the world around us, seen through the eyes of our scholars. 

Each image embodied a different aspect of Cambodia... the determination of working villagers, the serenity of the countryside, the hustle-and-bustle of daily life. The photographs inspired conversation among guests, who had the opportunity to provide feedback for each image. 

The evening also included funny poses and smiling faces in the photo booth and a candid behind-the-scenes slideshow of the students at work.

A huge thank you to our sponsors PhotoForward, Dream Photo Tours and New Leaf Book Cafe for making the night possible!

For more photos of the event, keep scrolling!

(all images courtesy of An Sarout and PhotoForward)

The Scholarship Student Team
Click the image to read their thoughts about photography and their community!

Our View, Our Story

Photo Booth Fun

Certificate Ceremony

Our Fantastic Sponsors

From Scholarship Student to Program Manager - As Told By Lita

We are amazed every day by our scholarship students. The hard work and dedication they show for both their studies and volunteer work with JWOC is inspiring. We are always eager to see the incredible things they will do after university, especially the impact they will have in their communities. With that, we are extremely proud and excited to welcome our very own scholarship student Lita to the JWOC team as Microfinance Program Manager!

A bit more from Lita...

Hello! My name is Vuth Lita. I was born in Kampong Cham province and moved to Siem Reap city in 2005 with my family. Since graduating high school in 2011, I have been pursuing a degree in Finance and Banking at University of South East Asia through the JWOC Scholarship award. 

This opportunity has helped me to be able to volunteer as a Credit Officer with JWOC since 2011. At the same time, to gain various experiences, I worked as an Assistant Accountant at Provincial Department of Rural Development for three years. After that, I worked as an Accountant at Fragrance Angkor Hotel for six months.

During my volunteering time as a Loan Officer at JWOC, I controlled the process of credit and saving related transactions from the advertisement period through to collection. I also promoted JWOC’s products and services to the clients and other stakeholders. 

In 2014, I became a Loan Officer Team Leader. My obligation has been coaching and training the team members on product knowledge and credit assessment skill. 

I really enjoy helping people who have no enough money to extend their businesses and to increase their standard of living. If they can run their business smoothly, they can afford to send their children to school. 

This means I am able to help children access educational opportunities as well.

I’m very happy to have this chance to work in JWOC as the position of Microfinance Program Manager. I hope that I can help scholarship students with their experiences in microfinance and help people extend their businesses.

To learn more about our Microfinance Program, please visit our website here. 

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