News from Aziza's Place: August - September

Dear Friends of Aziza's Place,

The summer break from public school certainly doesn't mean the learning stops at Aziza's Place. These last two months have been a time of extra learning and adventures for all the AP residents and a special time for two residents who experienced many 'firsts' during their trip to the UK with Co-Founder Amjad Ghori.

August was an exciting time for visitors, with Amjad visiting AP for the third time this year. We were also delighted to meet Aziza's Place supporter Jenny Dutton who visited for the first time and long-time supporters (through Basmati), Raphaël Surber and Susanne Jäger who came as part of their annual visit to Aziza's Place. All the guests were present for Family Night during which the AP residents performed a well-practiced rendition of 'The Girl Who Cried Wolf', along with a dramatic Khmer dance performance.

As highlighted further below, all the AP residents took part in an exciting new project guided by English teacher Rob that gave the children an opportunity to think practically, problem-solve and even introduced them to physics as they worked together to build a water pump which transports water across horizontal or vertical distances, built with items found in most Cambodian households.

Just prior to the commencement of the 2011-2012 academic year at the Khmer Public Schools, the AP residents were all involved in an Enrolment campaign in the Steung Meanchey community, encouraging families to enrol their children in their local school before this date.

Finally, we want to express our sincere appreciation for the commitment and dedication shown by Intern Elodie Douillard-Potet during her time volunteering at Aziza's Palce for the last five months, and to Maxime Rovere who came to AP for all of August to experience Aziza's Place first-hand. And we were delighted to see former volunteer Emma Horsfall when she returned to Cambodia for a 10-day visit. We are all ever so appreciative of the unique contributions that each of our volunteers brings to Aziza's Place.

Yours Gratefully,

Aziza's Place

 

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This month we thank you for your generosity:

Basmati-Authentic Help - Raphaël Surber and Susanne Jäger

Jenny Dutton • John Xu and Grace Xi Chen (Give Me A Chance Charity)

Hannah Cooper, Anna Allen and Zaria McClement (South Hampstead High School)

Terranova Family • Lisa D'Aguiar

 

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New Experiences for Two AP Residents Exploring the UK

Cheng and Ny enjoying new foods and flavours

during their trip to the UK.  Pictured here Cheng and

Ny are accompanied by 2010 volunteers Hayley and

Emma, and Hayley's friend Nick, in Manchester, England.   

In August 2011, two AP residents, Ny and Cheng, were the recipients of an 11-day trip to England as a reward for their leadership skills and all-round achievements at Aziza's Place. Cheng was hosted by AP's Co-founder Amjad Ghori while Ny was hosted by Adam Cooper (a Trustee of the Aziza Foundation UK) and his family. They also stayed with former volunteer Hayley Carter, who acted as their tour guide on a visit to her hometown of Manchester. Their English-speaking abilities impressed all who met them, and their character and poise in an unfamiliar culture and surroundings made them exceptional representatives of Aziza’s Place. See here for an insight into Ny and Cheng's UK memories, captured through photographs taken with their new cameras donated by Jenny Dutton - a first-time visitor and Supporter of Aziza's Place. When asked to describe their experience of leaving Cambodia for the first time and travelling so far away, Ny and Cheng had the following to say about their journey:

"My Favorite Crazy Adventure" - Ny Expresses Her Impressions of the UK:

  Hello my name is Channy (Ny). I am 14 years old. I arrived at Aziza’s Place on August 13, 2007.
  I really enjoyed my time in the UK. Everything was just like a new world for me. It was my first time on a plane, on a train and also to be outside of my country. I couldn’t believe that I was on the plane on the way to London. I felt very excited.
  Whenever the plane went up and down all my blood went down to my feet. I felt like there was nothing in my body, I got sick. It was a very long flight for me. 
  England is very different compared to Cambodia. The buildings are very organized. The traffic is different, in London they drive on the opposite side of the road than in Cambodia. It was very confusing. The temperature was very cold for me; on the first night when I slept I wore jeans because I was so cold! It was very strange also when I came back from a movie and it was 8:30 pm and was still light. I was wondering like what!!?? 8 pm and it's still light!!! It was very funny because in Cambodia it is always dark at 6 pm.
  This was one of my favorite crazy adventures that I won’t ever forget!

"London is very different to Cambodia!" - Cheng describes his UK Experience:

  Hello my name is Cheng and I am 15 years old. I have been at Aziza’s Place for four years. I am really enjoying living at Aziza’s Place because they give me education, fun and help to give me a new life.

  I went to London with another resident from AP, Ny, and I was very happy. It was my first time on a plane, train and also my first time leaving my country. When I got there I went shopping with Amjad, his friend Irina and Ny and on the way back I took pictures in the park. That evening I went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant and after that I went to a movie. I really enjoyed it because it was my first time to do these things in my life.

  The next morning I went to Hyde Park, it was very beautiful. The day after that I went to Amjad’s office to meet his friends who were very nice people. Then we all had lunch and I had Chicken Pasta and Salad. It was really good!

  London is very different to Cambodia. Eating was different because they don’t eat rice every day like I do at home. In the future I want to continue my studies in London if I can because the people were really nice, they have a good university and I am really impressed with their technology.