Our aim is to provide some of the very poorest children in Phnom Penh with a full education and help them to aspire to a better life for themselves. We currently teach over 160 children in two education centres.
At our Stung Meanchey Centre we have introduced a ‘Fast-track programme’ where each child is taught the full Cambodian State School curriculum at a rate of two years in every one calendar year. This enables them to achieve the correct State School grade for their age in the fastest possible time. The children are also provided with extra curriculum activity e.g. dance, art, yoga and English. We then sponsor them into State School and assist them through their time there to age 18. On leaving State School we sponsor them onto further education or vocational training as appropriate. This entire package also includes looking after their health, dentistry, nutrition and supplementary family rations for an extended period. We currently have 82 children in 5 classes studying from 7am until 5pm Monday to Friday.
In November 2008 we sent our first round of children to the local State School. 22 of the 26 children who commenced in November completed the year and returned to the State School to study the next grade. We were very proud when we learned in July 2009 that the students from ISF were ranked number one of six NGO’s who are sending their children to this school. The ranking is based on the children’s attendance and placement within the class. In October 2009 an additional 19 children were sent to the State School. These children continue to receive the support of ISF and the benefits of food rations, dentistry, healthcare and daily meals.
At our Boeng Salang centre, we teach English classes to 45 children who are self funded through State School. As tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Cambodia, English is a language that is believed to be most beneficial for the children in the future.
Since 2006 when we started, we have seen a fundamental transformation in the children who come to our centres. When they arrived they had no education, worked all day begging or collecting garbage, were malnourished and had no real childhood. They now have the foundations of a basic education, are well nourished, confident and are enjoying a real childhood without having to work.