Children of Cambodia

In 2006 we changed the name for two reasons. First, there was another organization using a very similar name. Second, two Dutch nationals who came into contact with the orphanage found out the structure of SCCO could be improved.

So, under a new structure and a new name, the organization now works with renewed energy to improve the lives of poor Cambodian children. As a result, the number of children being taken care of has been drastically reduced. We had to, because of insufficient financial means. We believe that, based on this small scale, we can better work for our cause and improve and strengthen COLT and its development.

New location!
A first step to improve the living conditions of the children was the move to a new location in January 2006. Previously, the 14 children lived in a number of wooden shacks along the railway line in Phnom Penh. Finding a better location was our top priority, and we have found it. Although the grounds are spacious, a lot of work needs to be done to suit the needs of the children. The building of a new shelter was finished in May 2006. Read all about our previous and present location.

Education
Besides providing safe shelter, educating the children is a pillar of our work. Most children never had any form of education. We conduct basic non-formal education to prepare them for enrolling in a public school.

For older kids unable to enroll in formal education, we provide vocational training. We conduct computer classes for boys and girls. Older girls enroll in our courses for Sewing and Tailoring or Beaty. By completing one of these course they are able to earn their own income, either by working in the garment industry or opening up their own business.

How you can help
You can help us in our work. By visiting the orphanage and school, while you are in Phnom Penh. Or by volunteering. If you are interested, please contact travel agent Local Adventures. The two owners of this travel agency are members of the COLT Board.

You can also donate to the COLT Foundation in The Netherlands. (In Dutch: Stichting COLT).

COLT is an organization that wants to give its donors full insight in what their money is used for. When you support us, you can see exactly where your money is spend via monthly reports.

COLT - Safe Shelter
Besides providing schooling and training, COLT runs a shelter to offer a safe haven for children under threat, such as street children. Here they can rest without fear of violence, thieves, gangs, rain or cold. COLT is well known within the community and is seen as the only non-residential housing option in the vicinity. Children do not have to be completely removed from the life they know to receive safer housing, thus limiting their trauma.

The old shelter consisted of a very basic sleeping area with some cushions and a little privacy. At the new location we just have completed a new shelter and school building. Meals are provided three times a day and the children usually participate in our non-formal and vocational programs, as well as in sports and other leisure activities. Whenever possible, children staying at the shelter are encouraged to attend state-run school.

Currently we have 12 children sheltered. Meet the children:

http://www.colt-cambodia.org/en/shelter-kids.htm

Please God..this is a real worthy Charity. Please send them help......You can make the life of these children, and others richer...Visit the site and pledge your help, even if its one odnation...

COLT - Gifts from SSCR
In September 2005 COLT received a generous donation from the Dutch foundation Stichting Scholenproject Cambodja Rotterdam. Dozens of boxes stuffed with clothes, learning materials and toys. Here you can see pictures of the arrival of these boxes and see how happy the children are with this donation. See how the boys immediately play with the toys, while the girls are inspecting the newly arrived clothes....

A small donation from you could make a difference to the lives of these children.
This blog is written in dutch..and tells what this orphanage is doing to help these children.
Will you help them too???

http://cambodja.blogspot.com/

Voetbal

Ja, ja, ook hier volgen we het WK Voetbal. Omdat ik mijn kabeltv-aansluiting niet betaald heb (ahum...) ben ik nu aangewezen op de Cambodjaanse televisie. Gelukkig zijn ze gestopt met het uitzenden van reclame TIJDENS de wedstrijden. Dat deden ze in het begin wel, en kennelijk is daar veel kritiek op gekomen. En dat Khmer commentaar bij de wedstrijd is wel leuk: vermakelijk om te horen hoe ze de namen uitspreken. Ook leuk: als een Cambodjaan zijn afkeuring, verbazing of verrukking wil laten blijken gaat dat meestal met een "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"-geluid. De toon is afhankelijk van wat je wilt uitdrukken: van laag naar hoog, van hoog naar laag, vlak, kort of langgerekt. De voetbalcommentators doen dat ook. Handig, want voor zo'n geluid heb je geen taalcursus nodig :)

Mooi dat Nederland door is, dus morgenavond zit ik voor de buis. En mocht het met Oranje verkeerd aflopen, dan is altijd nog mijn 'oude liefde' Ghana over. Ik vind het fantastisch dat ze door zijn naar de tweede ronde. Maandag treden de Brazilianen van Afrika aan tegen het echte Brazilië. Een wedstrijd waar ik erg naar uitkijk. Niet dat ik verwacht dat de Ghanezen zullen winnen, maar je weet het nooit. En ik denk dat de Ghanezen sowieso een gepassioneerde wedstrijd zullen spelen. Jaren geleden bekeek ik in Ghana een voetbalwedstrijd van dat land. Het publiek applaudiseerde zelfs als de tegenstander een 'mooi' doelpunt maakte. Zo'n volk. Leuk!

posted by Frits in Cambodja at 10:23 AM links to this post

vrijdag, juni 16, 2006
En dan nu iets leuks

De post hieronder gaat over vervelende dingen in Cambodja en ik zal de komende tijd misschien nog wel meer schrijven over de afgelopen maanden. Maar nu eerst iets leuks.

Afgelopen maandag ben ik met het kindertehuis waar André en Menno van Local Adventures in het bestuur zitten meegeweest naar Siem Reap. Ik mocht mee omdat ik de website van COLT kindertehuis onderhoud. Het afgelopen half jaar heeft Nanneke er als vrijwilligster gewerkt en zij wilde 'haar' kinderen een leuk afscheidskado bezorgen.

En leuk was het! De verbazing bij de kinderen dat ze in een echt hotel gingen overnachten (Baca Villa), dat ze Angkor Wat met hun eigen ogen mochten zien, dat ze gingen zwemmen in een superdeluxe ho

COLT - How you can help
COLT is supported by people from abroad, both financially and by volunteering. There already have been a number of volunteers active at the orphanage. Most are from The Netherlands, but we welcome people from other countries to contribute to our cause. Many visitors to the orphanage have donated financially or in the form of gifts like, clothes, toys, learning materials and sanitary goods.

To improve the financial backing of the orphanage, Ms. Tina Beekman-Tolner has established the Stichting COLT (COLT Foundation) in The Netherlands. The foundation Board further consists of Ms. Titia van Bockhoven and will be complement with a lawyer. All donations, whether small or large, are welcome.

Stichting COLT-Cambodia
Nieuwe Rijksweg 22
9481 AR VRIES
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31-592-543839

We give you full insight in the financials of COLT, so that you can see where your money is spend. See our Monthly Reports.

Volunteers
If you want to volunteer as a teacher or otherwise at the orphanage, you are more than welcome to do so. Please contact the travel agency Local Adventures for more information. The two owners of this travel agent are members of the COLT Board.

Many of the children arriving at COLT have no education at all, or were in school only very briefly. COLT does not operate a formal school itself, but we conduct informal education to (re)integrate the children in a state-run school. We offer many subjects, including basic subjects like Khmer literacy, English and arithmetic. COLT also wants to improve the children's self-esteem and confidence. That's why education subjects also include self-improvement, social knowledge, morality and child rights.
Pre-school
There are pre-school classes for children between 5 and 7 years old. This provides their parents with an opportunity to earn a living while their children are being taken care of. At the same time, COLT works on strengthening the child's emotions through learning by playing. This proves a good basis for children to attend primary school.

Catch Up Course

Children between 7 and 13 years of age who have never been to school or only very briefly, can enroll in our Catch Up Course. This is a 1-year course, in which they will be prepared for re-integration at grade 3 to 5. Of course this education is tailored to the specific needs of the child. After completing the CUC, the children usually successfully re-integrate into a state-run school.
Literacy and Vo