Friday, June 5, 2009

Living and working in Phnom Srok...

11th of March 2008, first day of my opportunity to start working with voluntary service overseas (VSO) as a district education advisor assistant (volunteer assistant - va) based in Phnom Srok district, Banteay Meanchey province. VSO work as partnership with the district office of education to enhance and improve schools, learning environment and provide with technical support in the district of Phnom Srok in line with the child friendly school (CFS) policy.

At the start of working with VSO, I was assigned to Anna’s volunteer assistant based in Phnom Srok district, Banteay Meanchey province and shared office with the district office of education (DOE).

As a volunteer assistant, I have to learn new set of skills which basically on the child friendly school. As experiences, I used to work with the education sector in my previous job focus on general basic education. Anna – VSO work concentrating on the child friendly school (CFS) which I found it is very new to me. Thus, in translating and interpreting I have to learn hard to know the key term of referents and words using in the CFS. I have gained knowledge and learned during working with Anna – VSO as well organizing workshop and meeting in district and school level, class observation, giving feedback, preparing classroom to become more child friendly environment to ensure child enjoy learning with the display by subjects area... I would thank Anna for her help not only with language, but also the professional and practical skills.

Honestly, I really enjoy working in Phnom Srok with Anna – VSO and the DOE colleagues who are very kinds and friendly to me. Living in Phnom Srok I have to rent a room and share meal with a family who is very kind to me.

Finally, I decided to terminate my contract with VSO from the 25th of June 2008 - embarking a new challenging with International Child Support (ICS) as a community facilitator based in Samrong District, Oddar Meanchey Province. Totally, I worked with VSO for only 3 months and sixteen days which is very short time for me compare to my previous job. Reasons behind leaving – got new employment which is in my hometown and benefit to support my study at university.

I do apologize for all of my awkward behaviors and impolite attitude in speaking, feeling, and acting in my time working in Phnom Srok.

I would also thanks to Anna for her positive recommendation and referent for me and I do hopefully it will help to prove me of working with VSO. Also, thanks for her help with creating blog which is very important to have blog of something personally. Thanks !

As a community facilitator (CF) with ICS...!

Embarking a new challenging with International Child Support (ICS)