Archive for May, 2009
Choir Song at Riverkids
Phnom Penh: 20 May 2009. Riverkids started choir singing training for the kids, which was conducted by Fine Arts and Dance University students in Phnom Penh. The children were so excited and very proud of themselves to be participating in the training.
The choir training is organized to support the children to learn how to value their culture, promote self-esteem and inject cheerfulness and hope into their lives.
Riverkids has some very useful extra-curricular activities such as break dancing, traditional dancing, choir songs, Saturday sport training etc.
We at Riverkids are so pleased to see children who used to be neglected and abused now so active, achieving brilliantly and full of hope.
Thanks to Sister Dale Edmond’s efforts and all the other generous donors who support Riverkids.
Phnom Penh, May 21, 2009
Writer: Mr. Som Ritthy
Position: Education Coordinator, Riverkids Foundation
Condolences to Sister Dale’s Family
A very, very quick update in point form!
1. This week we discovered a girl in one of our programs had been trafficked before she joined Riverkids. We were able to immediately refer her to a partner organisation and get her the help she needs. We will continue to work with her and her family, who were complicit in the trafficking unfortunately.
Trafficking is increasingly a ‘rental’ business, so the pimps and buyers can cut costs and avoid extra legal charges. Plus, it gets the whole family dependent on the regular income a sold child brings in.
2. Our kindergarten kids went to the zoo last week with a Singapore-based volunteer group! Photos as soon as I can get them!
3. Four of our kids were selected for a Cambodian youth soccer team and hope to represent Cambodia in international competitions!
4. We’ve had a great response in volunteers and fundraising this past month. Dale is sorting out the handover to volunteers now. Thank you! We are definitely looking tight and lean for a couple of months, but we hope to do more.
No commentsDale Edmonds – update on Singapore’s support for Cambodia
This is a difficult post for me to write, as I feel a lot of responsibility for all the financial, fundraising and administration support for Riverkids. We’ve been incredibly fortunate with financial and volunteer support for Riverkids – thank you!
Riverkids started eight years ago in 2001 when my husband and I began helping the local community our adopted children came from. We worked with amazing Cambodians, and within a few years, Riverkids became a non-governmental organisation in Phnom Penh that worked with hundreds of children at risk for child trafficking.
We’ve been able to do so much with limited resources in part because from 2007, I began volunteering at Riverkids full-time, with my family’s financial, practical and emotional support. From twenty hours a week, the workload has tripled.
Unfortunately, due to a chronic health issue, I have to cut down my hours a lot. Some days are great, and some days I am unable to work at all.
We’ve always wanted to move to a volunteer team supporting Riverkids in Cambodia, and this year we need to step up and get a full team to replace me!
Riverkids needs regular strong support. Please email me if you can volunteer at least three hours regularly a week.
We especially need:
1. A volunteer co-ordinator
2. Database and date-entry experience
3. Donor reports and letters
4. Shop orders and marketing
5. Grant writing and tracking
6. Research co-ordination
Most of the work needed can be done on the computer. We need long-term regular volunteers as the work is usually with sensitive information, and requires training and committment.
I apologise for the lateness in updating and replying to emails and requests. It is pretty tough to step back from something so dear to me. I have had so much support from friends and family in this time, and I know Riverkids will be stronger with a bigger support team.
Thank you!
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