Update from Cambodia!
Update from Cambodia!
We know you will all be interested in what is happening with the young women we are helping in Cambodia. Our long-serving Board member, Patrick Arthur, is there at the moment and has put together this report. Thanks Patrick!
Pchum Ben Religious Festival
At this time of the year, Cambodians pay respect to their ancestors during the Pchum Ben festival. Families return to their homelands for several days.
At Mekhala House, the students prepare for the festival by packaging up food parcels for the monks at the Pagoda. They then prepare to greet their parents who have travelled to Mekhala House to take them home for the festival period. The Mekhala House staff take this time to engage in meaningful conversations with the girls and their families about children's rights, and matters of hygiene and nutrition. In communities where resources are limited and poverty is a daily challenge, access to basic necessities can be scarce. The staff work closely with the girls to promote healthy habits and hygiene practices that are essential to their well-being, while also providing guidance on how to maintain these practices despite the challenges of their home environments. These discussions not only empower the girls to prioritise their health but also equip them with knowledge they can share with their families, helping to uplift their communities.
The girls will stay in their homelands for up to three weeks which represents a wonderful opportunity for them to maintain close connections with their families and communities.
Cambodian Academic Year
In the Cambodian academic system for secondary school students, there are only two year levels where the students sit for national exams, namely year 9 and year 12. The year-9 national exams were held over 2 ½ days in September, and all three of our Mekhala House students passed successfully!
The timing of the 2-day year-12 national exams is somewhat inconveniently scheduled in the middle of Pchum Ben celebrations, restricting the opportunity for our two year-12 students (pictured below) to fully participate in Pchum Ben celebrations. Their dedication to their studies is extraordinary and they chose to rather spend most days at Mekhala House preparing for these exams. These exams were held on October 8 and 9, and the results will be released later in the month. These year-12 exams are especially important because they determine whether the girls qualify for a scholarship to attend university!
For many years now, Mekhala House has enjoyed a 100% pass rate for the year-12 students, compared with a national pass rate of around 70%. That’s such a big impact for our small charity and we couldn’t do it without you!
Join us in celebrating the successes of our Mekhala House students and commend them all on their achievements.
The 2025 academic year commences on November 1, and we will have twenty young women residing at Mekhala House, and nine alumni studying at university. Now is a critical time for us to ensure the students have all the resources and support they need. Whether it’s by donating, sponsoring a student, or simply sharing our story, your contribution plays a vital role in empowering these young women to achieve their dreams.
Thank you for all your ongoing support.
Don’t forget to share your donation on social media and spread the word about CKC!