March 2023 News
Margot’s message - CKC Board Chair
As we welcome in the new year, we also welcome the 24 girls we will host at Mekhala House in 2023. Thanks to our new and ongoing supporters and the tireless work of our volunteers, CKC continues to operate its programs and make a difference in the lives of at-risk girls and their families. This year, we look forward to engaging regularly with you, our loyal supporters, by providing briefings on the progress the girls make. We ask you share this with your like-minded networks to further grow our reach so more people can learn about how we empower young women through education which change their lives for the better
We hope you can join us to celebrate International Women’s Day with some light refreshments and a short briefing on the girls’ education and progress.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Margot Hillel
Celebrating the successful entry of 3 girls to university
We are thrilled to celebrate the success of 3 girls from Mekhala House of Sreyeuy, Bunny and Vutey, who each passed their year 12 exams and were successful in obtaining places at university. Sreyreuy will be studying accounting, Bunny will be studying public administration and Vutey will be studying IT. These degrees will allow the girls to achieve their career goals but more importantly, as Sreyeuy describes, their studies will allow them to see “a bright future” for themselves.
Sreyeuy, Bunny and Vutey each faced numerous obstacles in continuing their studies, including poverty, family struggles, illiteracy and lack of prior schooling. Despite these challenges, they have each succeeded in achieving their dream of attending university, with the support of CKC and its donors. As Sreyeuy described, “This is the biggest thing I have achieved in my life.”
Read more about Sreyeuy, Bunny and Vutey’s inspiring stories and support them by becoming a university sponsor here.
Congratulations also to Sopheary, who graduated from a law degree in December and joins the ranks of 17 other young women who’ve been able to complete their university studies with support from CKC.
Welcoming 12 new students to Mekhala House
We wish the girls at Mekhala House all the best for starting the new academic year ahead. This year we will be supporting the education of 24 girls, after welcoming 12 new students to Mekhala House.
Generous funding from the Tucker Foundation and donor support has allowed us to support these additional girls, who would otherwise not be able to continue their schooling.
At Mekhala House, our caring staff will provide students with support for their education and personal development to grow and achieve their goals this year.
The best way you can support these girls at Mekhala House by becoming a regular giver today. For as little as $10 a month, your gift will provide essential supplies to our students and ensure they are cared for, supported, fed and clothed all year round.
January excursion to Cambodian historical sites
In January 2023, CKC’s local Khmer staff took Mekhala House students on an excursion for two exciting days to visit historic sites in Phnom Penh. The sites included:
The National Museum - Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history and leading historical and archaeological museum. Our staff and students enjoyed viewing centuries-old rare artifacts and physical records of Cambodia’s history.
The Royal Palace - formerly the royal residence of the king of Cambodia and used for cultural ceremonies. The girls were dazzled by the palace, and the visit opened their eyes to the richness of Cambodian history. Sreyneth, grade 12 said “I felt that I was in paradise the moment I went into the Royal Palace.” Hong, grade 9, loved exploring rare artifacts , including a queen’s bed from hundreds of years ago.
The Tuol Sleng Museum - a museum chronicling the Cambodian genocide. The girls explored the museum and gained a greater understanding of the Pol Pot regime and the effects of the regime on past generations, including their own families. Nita, grade 9, expressed that “My heart breaks for the innocent people that were killed. The moment I walked into the museum, I could feel all the pain and hardship.”
The trip provided the girls with an understanding and passion for their culture and history, and many good memories.