Karuna's 3rd Anniversary
Monday, June 16, 2008
July 4th marks the third anniversary of the opening of our Children’s Center in the small commune of Varin, Cambodia. The 64 children under our care have come a long way since they joined us and are now an inspiration not only to each other but to the wider impoverished local community. They have responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to live at the Center which has become their home and a chance to start to achieve their full potential.
The informal education courses we have introduced has enabled many to transition into the local school system which only recently reopened due to our efforts and with the support of our teachers.This now benefits not only the Karuna children but over 300 additional children from the district who could not attend school previously.
The children are now into a regular routine of rising at 5am, exercising, breakfast, daily chores which includes tidying the center, fetching water, tending to the fruit and vegetable farm, washing clothes. Then half of the children head off to the local school to participate in classes studying maths, geography & Khmer culture for the rest of the morning. Two of our girls and our eldest boy are top of their subjects at the local school. At midday they return for lunch and continue their studies in English as well as lessons in craftwork and music. In the late afternoon they play football, vollyball and help the carers with additional chores. In the evening its all hands on deck in preparing for dinner before dark after which they return to the classrooms for quiet time reading and studying in the library.
The children’s health and nutrition is certainly in much better shape with our focus on good sanitation and the preparation of healthy diets. Malaria rates have been reduced due to the constant use of mosquito nets, and typhoid and gastro illnesses have been greatly reduced with the tank water and filters we have installed. The children’s self esteem has grown with their confidence and they now look to the future with hope.
The Center has been built in the grounds of the monks’ pagoda who have been very accommodating in supporting us. Our longer term goal is to achieve a sustainable transition to the monks who once were the guardians of all vulnerable children in their district but after years of civil war and extreme impoverishment they have not had the resources to achieve this. With the monks continued involvement and support from the local commune chief and district chiefs have achieved a best practice model to provide the community with much needed knowledge and resources to one day take on these responsibilities for the next generation of children living in such vulnerable conditions.
Other news
Whats on in Cambodia?
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Monday, June 16, 2008
School and uniforms!
The commune leader and district chief of Varin have used Karuna Children's Center as a model project which has encouraged the government to hire local teachers at the primary school.
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Cambodian Daily News
For the latest Daily News in Cambodia, visit www.cambodiadaily.com
Monday, March 26, 2007
St Aloysius' College supports Karuna Foundation
In July the St Aloysius’ Arrupe Outreach Program was launched by Fr Ross Jones who announced that the Karuna Foundation would be supported by the school to raise funds for badly needed resources.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Simon Tedeschi visited Cambodia
Australian piano virtuoso Simon Tedeschi is planning a landmark month-long tour of Cambodia in November 2006 and will visit the Karuna Children's Centre.
Monday, March 26, 2007
April Visit to Karuna Children's Centre in Varin
Latest developments at the Karuna Children's Centre in Varin when Phil Kiely & his son Chris made a trip to check on the health and well being of the kids.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
