Hey
The Dump Children
We will stay in Phnom Penh until week's end, which is coming up soon, and I wish I could put time on hold.
We have been volunteering at The Center for Children to Happiness, a home for children who are orphans or from poor families, and have been rescued by the center from a life in the Steung Meanchey garbage dump, picking out plastic and other things they can sell for money. They were known as 'garbage pickers'. Some of their parents have died from AIDS and other illnesses, landmines, and accidents.
We have been teaching computer graphics and web site design of all things. We've been to the center 3 times, 3.5 hours each day, and have 2 more classes before we must leave. The children are a constant source of amazement: they are so loving, and polite, and grateful. When we arrive, all 33 of them come running out to greet us, placing their hands together and bowing their heads in the traditional Khmer way of greeting. They hold our hands and hug us and climb on our backs. They thank us at the end of each day for teaching them and show the most respect I have ever experienced from a child. They are also very smart. At the end of each day, Benjamin and I have a hard time wiping the silly grins from our faces, smiles we have even though our hearts ache for these kids.
Considering where they have come from, and what they have been through, I am all the more amazed by their graciousness and good manners and loving ways. It will be a very sad 'good-bye' at the end of the week.
Find out more about the children and the Center for Children to Happiness:
www.cchcambodia.org
We have been volunteering at The Center for Children to Happiness, a home for children who are orphans or from poor families, and have been rescued by the center from a life in the Steung Meanchey garbage dump, picking out plastic and other things they can sell for money. They were known as 'garbage pickers'. Some of their parents have died from AIDS and other illnesses, landmines, and accidents.
We have been teaching computer graphics and web site design of all things. We've been to the center 3 times, 3.5 hours each day, and have 2 more classes before we must leave. The children are a constant source of amazement: they are so loving, and polite, and grateful. When we arrive, all 33 of them come running out to greet us, placing their hands together and bowing their heads in the traditional Khmer way of greeting. They hold our hands and hug us and climb on our backs. They thank us at the end of each day for teaching them and show the most respect I have ever experienced from a child. They are also very smart. At the end of each day, Benjamin and I have a hard time wiping the silly grins from our faces, smiles we have even though our hearts ache for these kids.
Considering where they have come from, and what they have been through, I am all the more amazed by their graciousness and good manners and loving ways. It will be a very sad 'good-bye' at the end of the week.
Find out more about the children and the Center for Children to Happiness:
www.cchcambodia.org
posted by Cheryn at 7:42 PM
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