Celebrating Academic Achievements and Upcoming Events
Celebrating Academic Achievements: and Upcoming Events
Dear Supporters,
As the Volunteer CKC Board gear up for our highly anticipated Gala Dinner, the staff in Cambodia are thrilled to share the latest updates from Mekhala House and alumni with you.
In this edition, discover how our students are shining academically, catch up on our recent university visits in Phnom Penh, and learn about our engagement with Pchum Ben (ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ). Plus, we are pleased to introduce our new part-time staff member who is already making a difference.
Your unwavering support makes these achievements possible. We invite you to read on and please do join us for the Gala Dinner, where your presence will help propel our mission forward.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey!
The Volunteer Board
Cambodian Kids Can
Experience a night of fine dining, inspirational speakers, and fantastic prizes. Delight in a fabulous evening featuring:
Free-flowing drinks and delectable canapés
A delightful two-course meal, along with tea, coffee, and chocolates
Heartwarming stories and live updates from the students at Mekhala House in Cambodia. This year, three of our university students, Daneth, Ousa, and Srey Neth, will participate in a live Q&A session from Cambodia with guests in Australia. Cambodian Staff Sopheap, Sreynin, and Board Member Patrick will support the students to ensure the event goes smoothly.
Engage with others and contribute to a great cause through our exciting silent auction! With a range of varied and unique items there’s something for everyone. This is a fun way to support our mission while enjoying a lively and interactive part of the evening. We also have several larger value auction pieces that will feature through the evening including:
Enjoy 7 nights in a 3-bedroom villa at a 5-star resort for up to 6 guests, complete with a private pool and easy access to Jimbaran Bay, lush rainforests, and the artistic village of Ubud.
a long weekend getaway on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in a 3-bedroom house that accommodates up to 11 guests!
Tickets are available now—secure yours and be part of something special!
Individual tickets: $150
Table of ten: $1500
If you or your organisation are interested in sponsoring the event, donating raffle prizes, or contributing door prizes, please contact us. Your support will help us make this gala a success and continue our mission to empower and educate the students at Mekhala House.
Academic Progress
The academic progress of our students at Mekhala House is commendable. Here is a summary of their performance:
Mekhala House students have shown strong academic performance across various grades:
Senior Grades (12 and 11):
Grade 12: Two students ranked 7th and 19th.
Grade 11: Five students ranked in the top half of their class, with two achieving "Very Good" ratings.
Middle Grades (10 and 9):
Grade 10: Six students, four of whom achieved "Very Good" ratings, with several top-10 rankings.
Grade 9: Three students performed well, including one with a "Very Good" rating.
Junior Grades (8 and 7):
Grade 8: Two students; results pending.
Grade 7: One student's results are still pending.
Overall, students are performing well, with many achieving high rankings and strong ratings.
University Students: University Visits in Phnom Penh – August 13, 2024
On August 13th, Sopheap, Sreynin, and Patrick visited three universities in Phnom Penh to check in with our students.
At the Royal University of Law and Economics, we met Daneth, a third-year Public Administration student, who gave us a tour and shared her plans to pursue a stable job at the Ministry of Interior after graduation. Bunny, a second-year student at the same university, was unable to join due to a family commitment.
At the Royal University of Phnom Penh, we met Srey Neth, a first-year Environmental Engineering student. She is also taking English classes to improve her language skills, with hopes of applying for an overseas scholarship in the future.
Our final visit was with Vutey from PNC, who has just completed a job interview after two years of studying ICT. She is actively seeking employment and remains optimistic despite the competitive job market.
The visits were a great opportunity to see the progress our students are making and to support their ongoing educational journeys.
Welcoming a New Staff Member
We are pleased to welcome Sor Chansela, as our new part-time Cambodian Staff member. Starting in August 2024, Chansela will handle administrative tasks and assist the MH Manager for half a day, five days a week. She will also volunteer one hour a day to teach English to the MH girls. Welcome Sor Chansela!
Pchum Ben (ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ)
Pchum Ben ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ commences October 1. Pchum Ben, also known as "Offerings for Ancestors," is a 15-day Cambodian religious festival that culminates on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer calendar, marking the end of Buddhist Lent. In 2024, it will be observed from October 1 to October 3.
During Pchum Ben, Cambodians honour deceased relatives from up to seven generations. Buddhist monks chant and offerings are made to help deceased ancestors achieve liberation or alleviate their suffering. Offerings may include food given to monks, which generates merit for the deceased, or direct offerings like rice-balls thrown into fields.
At CKC, we honour Pchum Ben by supporting our community to participate in this meaningful tradition, fostering a sense of connection and respect. By doing so, we not only pay tribute to our ancestors but also strengthen the bonds within our community and support the ongoing mission of our organisation.
