Sean Yeat: The Journey of a Scholarship Student & Beyond...

Hello! My name is Sean Yeat. I was born in Chikreang district to the east of Siem Reap city and I moved to live in Siem Reap city in 2007 to pursue my education. I graduated from my high school diploma in 2012, I had applied for a JWOC scholarship but I was not accepted at that time. I had no regrets about my failed application; the main reason was my poor English for my personal essay. By the beginning of the year 2013, I was still unable to continue my higher education at a local university in Siem Reap. However, I did not let the time pass by, I tried to study English from 2 hours to 5 hours per day at a pagoda and a private school. In the same year, I applied for a JWOC scholarship again, and I was very confident about my English ability. I was chosen to be a JWOC scholarship student under the support of Jay Timmoms and family from America.

I am now a third year JWOC scholarship student at the University of Southeast Asia (USEA), my major a bachelor of Education in Teaching English. As a scholarship student, I had great opportunities to volunteer as an English teacher in 2012, I taught students from beginner to elementary levels. I participated in monthly teacher development workshops and learnt new things to develop my skills. 

In 2013, I wished to learn new things, so I changed from Free Classes Program to the Community Liaison and Assistance Program (CLA). Being a community facilitator officer, it was a great year of my volunteering period. Being this role, I went with my team every weekend to underserved rural communities to conduct home-garden surveys, meeting different people that I would never have done before (such as government officers, local authorities, villagers and other NGOs staff). In the CLA team we were a family, we gave up our time, and while other youths were enjoying their weekends we were at the village – sometimes I would volunteer from the morning through to the evening. I love JWOC and my team. I have learnt a lot of things via the projects such as the home-gardens, nutrition, community assistances training. I used to lead a field tour to the village with our guests, including JWOC’s executive director, Jane Price. I trained villagers the procedures of home-gardens, it was one of my scarce public speeches. If confident, I could do it and improve a lot.

By the year 2016, I decided to engage with communication team, it was hard to say good bye to my previous team that used to volunteer together (however I still volunteer with them sometimes). In the communication team, I have Josh as my communication manager; he is so kind and friendly. Together, we play very vital roles to make JWOC achieve its goals for the next ten years. I am looking forwards to achieving 2016’s goals for my JWOC volunteering, university studies and job. For JWOC, I commit to use my skills to help with communication projects as much as possible. I will talk and explain to guests who visit JWOC how the organization helps scholarship students in the education system and how JWOC facilitates their learning and development. I will be escorting guests to the villages and tell them how JWOC, especially CLA program, has improved the community’s lifestyles. I am happy to learn new things and help at JWOC.

At university, even my current studies record is good amongst my classmates. However, I will study harder and harder and try change learning habits to succeed in my goal of being in the top 3 students in the class. For my job, I am very keen to work within a local conservation NGO, it is my dream job. In 2016, I will work further in wildlife conservation organization and to educate local communities to love nature, wildlife, birds and the environment. Through my job, I want my country to be green and natural resource that is being projected by all.

All in all, I would say again that without JWOC my life would not be the same, I owe reaching this point to JWOC. A huge thanks goes out to my sponsor and everyone that has been volunteering with me; especially to Ms Konthea, my previous program manager for encouragement. I am looking forward to working with my new manager Josh and all of the team. We together can achieve JWOC’s goals.

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