Collaborating

A lot of the work I have done so far as a VSO volunteer has been alone, or with my VA and Khmer colleagues at the DOE in Phnom Srok. This has been due to circumstance and convenience rather than choice on the whole. There are increasing numbers of barangs around in Sisaphon: English teachers, American Peace Corps volunteers, not to mention the increasing numbers of VSO volunteers around. It's been great to have different conversations with them all about their experiences in Cambodia and the work they are doing. Many people are here for many different reasons and some definitely seem to prefer to work alone. I have met some NGO workers who don't want other barangs messing up 'their' work, interfering or judging what they are doing and I've found this attitude rather saddening. There are so many NGOs in the country there sometimes almost seems to be competition between these NGOs which sounds ludicrous but suggests some are here for their own glory seeking reasons!? So it has been really rewarding and refreshing when some of the other barangs I've met have expressed an interest in collaborating on development projects.

Jan, a VSO colleague who works in the Provincial Teacher Training College in Sisaphon, brought herself, her VA and 4 teacher trainers to Phnom Srok the other week in order to visit Newly Qualified Teachers working in a district. It was a very good experience for all! It was great for the NQTs to have a bit of interest expressed in their direction, also great for them to have the opportunity to be together as a group, talk to their old trainers and share their successes and problems. The trainers themselves benefited from seeing the living and working conditions of the NQTs sent out to the districts and my DOE are now going to plan in 3 meetings a year for NQTs to join together in order to support them!

I have enjoyed spending some time in other people's placements recently too, one being a private school in Mongkul Borei District which is supported by the Rotary Club in the USA. Poor children are supported financially so that they can come to school, have a very good basic education, learn English and get a lunch-time meal. I has been really wonderful visiting my friend Cory's English class there which is SO different to any classroom I have seen in the country, talking to the children (whose English is excellent), observing Cory's goofy teaching and arguing over the USA vs British pronunciation of the words he is teaching! It has also made me really miss having my own classroom of children to teach. I am definitely not an ESL teacher but am longing to get stuck back into teaching when I get back to England.

Another project I have started in Phnom Srok was spawned from donations from the USA used to build toilet buildings. Months ago I observed toilets being built in many schools in Phnom Srok, only to be kept locked all the time and unused. There is a definite lack of eduction on sanitation and hygiene although it is part of the National Curriculum and health and good sanitation practices are part of the Child-Friendly Schools Policy I have been working on with schools in the district. So after visiting a meeting on Water Sanitation in Phnom Penh, discussing project ideas with other NGOs and collaborating with a nearby Peace Corps volunteer, a project is underway! Deidre is the Peace Corps volunteer and is teaching English at a High School in the neighbouring district of Preah neth Preah. Having a difficult time with teaching her classes due to the amount of time the school is closed, she jumped at the chance of working in Phnom Srok and having a fun day of activities relating to good hand washing, safe latrine use and the rest! We have met to talk shit (literally) a few times and a project is underway... watch this space!

And finally, the topic of my next post is about my collaboration with a fantastic YfD (Youth for Development) volunteer Rachael who joined the Banteay Meanchey team about 6 months ago to focus her efforts on community involvement in schools...