~Sondra Murphy, Librarian, Massachusetts, USA

I fell in love with Cambodia on an impromptu visit to Siem Reap two years ago.  I was only in Siem Reap for one week, but I never forgot the sights, smells, and smiles I encountered. After returning to my job in the States, I would sit in my office and day dream about returning to Cambodia. I wanted to volunteer and give back to the people who had so touched my heart. Every day on my lunch break I would scour the internet for work or volunteer opportunities offered by trusted NGO’s, but there weren’t very many available.

I found the Spitler School after broadening my search to include schools. A librarian by trade, I had been looking for something that was library-centric, but once I read about the Spitler School’s history and mission, I knew I wanted to volunteer there. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to Siem Reap and visiting the school for the first time!

My month at the Spitler School was spent doing a variety of things. I went through the collection of English language books and organized the collection by reading level and interest. I also organized and filed various documents, teaching aids, and lesson plans created by previous volunteers and teachers. I wanted to make these items accessible to the volunteers who would come after me, so they could get a clear picture of what was available to help them in the classroom.

I had the chance to participate in meetings between all the librarians, which to me was very interesting. I was able to assess library and literacy services in the community and in Cambodia, which gave me a lot of ideas about how to enhance them, and what would be needed to do so. I had many positive conversations with community members, teachers, and children about how Cambodia views libraries and literacy. As I am interested in finding a position as an International Librarian one day, these conversations will be very useful to me.

The best part about my month at the Spitler School, though, was working with the children. I was in charge of conducting play practice with the 5th graders, as they prepared for their annual graduation performance. A spirited and amazing group of kids, we had many laughs as we ran lines week after week. I was struck by how dedicated they all were to learning their lines! It was obvious they had all been practicing at home, and some brave kids even challenged themselves to running lines without looking at the script.

The highlight of the month were my daily English language storytimes for an enthusiastic group of 3rd graders. The number of students ranged from 13-35, depending on how many brought their siblings, or how many curious children from other classes hung out in the doorway, the back of the classroom, and through the open windows. During the hour I had with them, we would sing songs, read books, do a craft, play a game, or do a group activity. What amazed me was their willingness to learn, and their enthusiasm for learning songs they had never heard before. It only took three days for the kids to catch on to the rhythm and lyrics. By the end of the month, they were telling me what songs they wanted to sing! I’d often hear them humming tunes to themselves as they left the classroom and put their shoes back on in the doorway.

Throughout the month I spent at the Spitler School, I discovered that there is something special about the community the school serves. As I rode my bike through the neighboring villages, I’d see my students or other children and families I’d never seen before, and everyone would wave to me and say, “Hello Teacher!” (Pronounced tee-chaaaa) I will never forget the laughs, the high-fives, and the cold water or fruit brought to me by children or the school staff when they saw how sweaty I was after my ride to school! It was a great experience, and I only wish I could have stayed for longer.

A big challenge  facing our English teachers is providing meaningful instruction to  students with varying levels of English proficiency within each classroom.

We were very fortunate to have Kitty Johnson volunteer her time on a Saturday morning to share some creative techniques with the English teachers from Spitler and Kurata schools.  Kitty is one of four English Language Fellows sponsored by the US Embassy in Cambodia. Her host institution in Siem Reap is the Center for Khmer studies, where she teaches a class in Academic English for archaeologists and historians hoping to study in an English speaking country. Among other projects, she also teaches at APSARA Authority and USEA, and holds a monthly teacher-training workshop at the American Corner.

During the workshop she demonstrated several activities that are effective in heterogeneous learning groups. The interactive (and fun!) session used speaking and writing exercises and games that provide opportunities for more advanced students to learn, while at the same time reinforcing basic concepts for students with a lower level of English proficiency.

The teachers really enjoyed learning these new methods and are looking forward to incorporating Kitty’s ideas in their classroom.

Chlong Reoun will be celebrating her 84th birthday this year!

Chlong Reuon married her husband, Chea Reth sometime in the 1960s and the couple  had nine children. The family lived in the countryside and worked as rice farmers, fished and sold vegetables in the market.  Although Sarin’s mother never went to school, she had skills in budgeting and managing money for the family. Reth was educated and served as a  soldier in the Non Lol government party until the Khmer Rouge  regime.

The hardships the family endured during this time are hard to imagine. When asked to recall some happy times with his mother when he was young, Sarin replied there were “None because of the war. There were just bombs and screaming and separation from family.’’ Sadly, Sarin’s father and 3 of his siblings were killed in the war.

In 1981 the remaining family members escaped to the Pre Chin Bori refugee camp in Thailand. Sarin was 6 years old at the time. Here they stayed at a pagoda. At age 9, Sarin was one of 160 boys at the refugee camp, to be selected and moved to an orphanage established by a Japanese NGO. It was there that he received an education and learned English. During that time, he saw his family every week and although it was hard to be separated, his mother knew that he was getting the food, education and opportunities that she could not provide.

Reoun chose not to remarry, because in the Cambodian culture, second husbands often do not take good care of children from a previous marriage. Instead, she focused on raising her children alone to ensure they would not be abused or neglected.

Later, she became a Buddhist nun, living in the monastery, cleaning and cooking for the monks and learning about Buddha. This quiet life allows her to refresh her spirit, try to forget past hard times and focus on heaven. Now that she is getting older, she spends much of her time at her daughter’s house, but continues to support the monks, buying food and books for them.

Reoun is very proud of Sarin, her only son, and all that he has accomplished. In Cambodia, one’s station in life is often linked to social connections and the wealth of the family. Because they had neither, she never expected that he would be so successful on his own and be an integral part of a school that would improve an entire community and change the futures of poor village children. Reoun is happy to see him married with two beautiful daughters. She is proud of all her grandchildren and pushes them to continue their education and contribute to the community.

The best advice his mother gave him, says Sarin, is to help your siblings and do good things for society.

Join us in wishing Reoun a Happy Mother’s Day!