The Kids from the PEPYride school traveled the 60kms from the school to the temples of Angkor. Although entrance is free for Cambodians none of the 40 or so children had seen the temples that are part of their national pride and indeed take pride of place on Cambodias flag.
This is a great initiative by PEPY in that the kids can only go to the temples once they reach 4th grade - however this does in no way determine their age as kids start school at different ages especially if they are the oldest in their family because it is difficult to get to one of the few schools in the rural areas. If the kids continue onto 6th grade and graduate from primary school they receive a bicycle from PEPY so that they can get to junior high school which is a long way from their homes. PEPY is teaching the kids Khmer literacy and has established a library - and I am so glad to see children learning to be literate in their own language before English. It was also very exciting to see what the children's hopes for the future were, the two girls that were my buddies wanted to be a doctor and a painter.
We met with the kids and they taught us to count to ten in Khmer which is incredibly difficult but very entertaining not only for myself but also for the kids. The children had been learning English for only two months but were able to communicate about their familys, their favourite subjects and understood me when I talked about my family.
Cambodian children smile with their whole face and their heart and they melt your own heart each time they flash their teeth.
This is going to be a wonderful adventure :)
1 comment:
yes, cambodia children do smile with thier whole heart. the ankor smile! so happy you are there jane.
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