One of the projects we did with them was to write and illustrate your dream. What the future might hold if their dreams come true. The kids are all very clear about wanting to get educated and each have very clear ideas already about becoming doctors, engineers, english teachers, etc. At the Center for Children's Happiness, they are educated and many are eligible for scholarships to universities upon graduating high school. I have never experienced a more harmonious, kind and grateful group of young children in my life. We did artwork, photography, read books, sang and generally just spent time getting to know as many as we could. Our last night with them we had a party in the small cement courtyard of the Center. The kids danced and sang with such joy. It was so triumphant, so inspiring to experience. I will never forget it. This kind of happiness and gratitude maybe only comes from those who have been given a second chance at life.
The first 3 photos of the garbage dump below were taken by Sambath, one of the promising young photojournalists who lives at CCH. The photos below do not show the magnitude or the actual number of those living at the dumps. There are about 900 people who live and work there, picking through the city's refuse for recyclables and food. The two american girls in the photos are my daughters. To find out more about CCH and how you can help...http://www.cchcambodia.org/index.html
4 comments:
Wow. How very powerful. Thank you to you and your family for going and doing this.
Incredible project Nicholas. How did you happen to find/choose/decide to travel to this orphanage? However you learned of it, this contribution sounds like a priceless one for all involved. When I'm working with children and art in the hospital setting, the giving and receiving is like nothing else I've known--there is a profound satisfaction from the connection that arises. Thank you and your family for this work.
Through my daughter's school we met a family who have been involved with CCH- Children's Center for Happiness. They had gone several times with their son and he wants to go back every summer to work with the kids. So our family plus another decided to all meet up there and work with the kids doing whatever subjects we could teach. We did art and writing, but really just one on one time is what they crave. They are so eager to learn. Now our kids want to go back next year too. If you ever have any interest in going I can help set it up for you.
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