Aziza's Place News: June/July 2012

Sreyphea, enjoying the summer
break from Khmer public school
with kite flying activities in July.

Our Mission: Enable each child to reach maximum potential by providing residents with a safe environment, a range of creative educational, developmental and recreational programs, nurturing individuality, character and community while preparing each child for onward challenges and success, whether they involve university education, vocational training, or gainful employment.

Dear friends of Aziza's Place, 
  While the summer break from the Khmer public schools, starting mid-July, meant no school for the AP residents, their life at AP is nevertheless full of activity.  The eldest residents developed their own schedules as they headed out to their internships at various organisations and businesses around the city for their internship activities.  Some chose to work in paid positions while others opted to volunteer to gain skills in a field specifically suited to their interests.  We are impressed at the way they have each taken responsibility, and independently pursued and made their own decisions for their internship roles, with minimal input from the AP Staff.
  Our younger residents continue to pursue their supplementary studies at Aziza's Place, while also being afforded time for other new activities planned for the next two months, including; participation in a valuable week-long Reproductive Health Education Course with Karol & Setha for the younger teens (as described further below) and swimming classes, a new and exciting effort for the children to develop this vital skill.
  We also convened the first of our 'Family Days', a new initiative for Aziza's Place children and their families to assemble and share new activities in the framework of the greater AP community.  These gatherings have already proven to be a great success as a positive bonding time for AP residents, their parents and siblings, and AP staff.  We look forward to the next Family Day in November. 
  Last, but not least, we extend a sincere thanks to our generous family of supporters who enable all Aziza's Place activities to become reality.  This month, we send out a special Thank You to Global Fund for Children (GFC) for their decision to once again support Aziza's Place in 2012 and gratitude for their pledge to support in the coming years.  We also hosted Amanda Hsiung, GFC Associate Program Officer, in July - it is always wonderful to show our supporters the impact they have made on the lives of the Aziza's Place children.  An extra special note of gratitude is reserved for Craig Nethercott and Laura Mountcastle, two long-standing supporters of Aziza's Place who once again demonstrated their commitment with very generous donations, and former volunteer Leila Antakly who continues to corral support from her vast web of friends in support of Aziza's Place.  Thank you Craig, Laura and Leila!  Aziza's Place thrives as a result of the continued belief in our mission expressed through the financial support of our institutional and individual donors/partners.        


With much gratitude,
Aziza's Place

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'Family Days' Strengthen Sense of Community for AP Residents and their Families

AP residents, their families, and AP staff gather together

during their visit to the zoo.

  Family relationships are essential for Aziza’s Place residents and we recognize this in the development of our programs and activities.  This year we have expanded our Family activities by creating a new ‘Family Day’ initiative.  On various public holidays throughout the year, when families of AP residents have free time, we organize special events where AP residents and their families can spend time together. 
  Our first two Family Days have already demonstrated the value of such events as a natural and positive way of strengthening the wider Aziza's Place community through relaxing and fun times for both AP residents and their families.  Our first Family Day was a wonderful success where we all prepared spring rolls and soup together, before devouring the delicious meal!  The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful as AP residents, their parents and siblings, and AP staff, all worked alongside each other in preparing and enjoying the food, and each other's company.   
  Our second Family Day was a trip to the nearby province of Takeo when we hired a bus to travel and meet with children from another NGO 'A Greater Hope Orphanage (AGHO)', spent time at their centre, and then visited a nearby zoo together.  It was the first time many of the children and their families had been to the zoo, resulting in a fun and learning experience for all. 
  We encourage Aziza's Place residents and their families to maintain strong connections with each other - some residents visit home in the weekends, other family members visit their child/sibling at Aziza's Place on a regular basis.  Family Day events provide an additional way for AP residents to share fun and new experiences with their families and reinforce that we work together as a community.  See the Aziza's Place facebook page for pictures!                
 

Eldest Residents Take on New Roles with Summer Internships

Cheng, Sreymach and Ny take a break during their

work at 'The Local' - a guesthouse and restuarant.

  With the commencement of the summer break from public school, the eldest residents researched new job opportunities and internships to gain work experience in both paid and unpaid positions.  Last year, our six eldest residents all successfully sought out and secured internship positions focused on their individual areas of interest, but primarily on an unpaid basis.  This year Ny and Cheng also joined the internship/work program, increasing the number of working residents to eight for the August - September summer break period.     
  Internship positions independently secured by AP’s eldest residents, employing job-search skills developed in previous internship experiences, match their interests and aspirations.  AP staff provided guidance as and when needed through preparation sessions and one-on-one meetings.  All eight residents updated their resume’s, contacted organizations or companies, followed up with interviews, managed their time and made decisions based on their time priorities.  Cheng, Ny, Rotha and Sreymach found paid work at a guesthouse and restaurant – ‘The Local’.  They each hold different responsibilities within the daily operations of the business.  They animatedly share their daily experiences with other AP residents and recall learning how to serve customers, take guesthouse bookings, order supplies, prepare food in the kitchen, and other daily tasks of the business, most importantly, using their ever-confident English skills. 
  Along with her work at the restaurant Sreymach has been involved in a local counseling centre, Magic 7s, particularly with general administrative tasks.  Counselor Yim Sotheary has a long-running relationship with Aziza's Place as the facilitator for staff training and staff capacity building workshops, and individual and group sessions with Aziza's Place residents.  She has been delighted to support Sreymach's interest in the counseling field. 
  Chanthy and Theara both successfully applied for advertised roles at a newly opened restaurant 'Oishi'.  Theara has been learning strong customer service skills as a front-of-house staff member, welcoming guests and receiving bookings.  Chanthy worked at the restaurant temporarily for one month.  He plans to take on a new role teaching art at a local NGO, starting in August, while also studying an art course to advance his skills in this area which is his true passion.
  Other residents are in the process of searching out their placements before the beginning of August.  Ven is interested in building on his experience from last year, teaching Computer studies and English.  Chiev has been working on directing his own film, while searching out a part-time role for the internship program.  It is exciting to see the eldest residents take hold of their confidence and build on ther previous experience in searching out work opportunities.  We all look forward to hearing about their newfound knowledge as they make decisions and take on new roles in their community. 

Residents Invited to Extend their Printing and Design Skills

The 2011 Calendar Team - Sreypov, Cheng, Sengkry,

Roth and Ny.  This summer Sreypov, Sengkry and

Roth enjoy 'work experience' at Grand Arts Printing

Shop in Phnom Penh.

  While the eldest residents search out internship opportunities, the younger residents at Aziza’s Place are excitedly looking forward to their summer break.  Khmer Primary School will finish the school year at the end of July, but in the meantime three of our high school residents have taken on a special opportunity of gaining their own part-time ‘work experience’. 
  In 2011, Sreypov, Roth and Sengkry were all involved in creating an Aziza’s Place Calendar.  They participated in photography workshops facilitated by a volunteer photographer, and then designed a final product using Photoshop software.  The calendar was a wonderful success and our local printer, Mr. Makara Singh, was impressed that the AP residents had created it themselves.  He responded by offering his own knowledge to support them, inviting them to spend time at his company where they can learn the process of printing production, interact with customers and work on the computer aspect of design.
  Sreypov, Roth and Sengkry are all excited to spend the next few weeks at Grand Arts Printing Shop on a part-time basis, extending their knowledge and starting their own version of ‘work experience’.  We are grateful to Mr. Singh and his team and Grand Arts Printing Shop for their encouragement of these AP residents.     

Five AP Teenagers Participate in Reproductive Health Education Classes

   This summer break, AP’s five younger teenagers (13-15year olds) will take part in a valuable workshop program run by Karol & Setha (acronym for ‘Knowledge And Reflection on Life & Sexuality Through a Holistic Approach’).  In 2010 our nine eldest residents enrolled in this workshop whose benefits were noticeable and very positive.  With the next group of residents reaching adolesence, we recognized it is their turn to participate.  Karol & Setha is an educational program run by Khmer trainers, taught with a holistic approach and targeted to specific age-groups.  The workshops introduce topics of positive relationships, sexuality, identity, peer pressure, decision-making, critical thinking, communication of one’s feelings and needs, and understanding the feelings and needs of others.  We have seen the courses as a valuable way for our teenagers to be comfortable in asking questions about sensitive topics, to consider how they interact with others, what it means to build positive relationships with their peers, to know they have a say in how others treat them, and addressing topics that are often not openly talked about in Cambodian culture but are important to learn.  

Thank You Global Fund for Children (GFC)

Amanda Hsiung from Global Fund for Children (GFC)

spending time with Chanthy and Navin at Aziza's Place.   

  This month we were delighted to host Amanda Hsiung, Associate Program Officer  from Global Fund for Children (GFC), based in Washington DC.  We extend a big thank you to GFC for their re-commitment of support to Aziza’s Place with their generous Enterprise grant of $10,000 for 2012.  We are also honored to be the recipients of the Rising Stars Award of $1,250, given to recognize the work of GFC’s board member Michael Daffey.  GFC’s grant has provided crucial support for the set-up of the eldest residents’ new housing, and will be attributed towards staff training, the salary of our permanent English teacher, life-skills courses, and internship costs for residents.  We are grateful for the opportunity to work together in partnership with GFC to strengthen our programs and support the organizational development of our team.

Special thanks to supporters in June and July 2012:

•  Craig Nethercott
•  Laura Mountcastle
•  Saud Alghunaim and family (Sharifa, Abeer, Tarfah, Hind and Nouf) 
•  Jenny Dutton    
•  Fatima Javed
•  Mohamed Semary

Many thanks also to previous volunteer Leila Antakly for her active and continued efforts  in connecting others to the the mission of Aziza's Place, inspiring them to become part of the AP community by supporting our activities and programs.  Her efforts resulted in funds sufficient for a much needed upgrade of the AP tuk tuk, as well as a new washing machine, blender, mincer and assorted computer software.        

How to Help Aziza's Place

Are you interested in supporting the children and programs of Aziza's Place? We invite you to become a part of our growing global community by donating, volunteering, or simply connecting us to your network of friends and family.  If you are a prospective volunteer, please take a look at our volunteer needs on idealist.org or simply contact us.

Easy ways to provide financial support:

  Please click the "Donate" button to make a donation via PayPal. For donations over $400, please click here for wire transfer information. U.S. donors can receive a tax credit receipt for your contribution. If you are a UK donor please click here. You may also elect the Gift Aid option so the tax-gross up is received by the charity.

Thank you for supporting the children and families of Aziza's Place.