A tourist delegation contacted us, asking us for any opportunity to communicate with local children nearby their touring area. We introduced them a preschool class that belongs to a primary school. However we normally don’t have a contact with schools in city area, and it was not a simple process to greet the teachers, obtain a permission for the activity and make preparations there. It consumed a certain amount of time and personnel.
The delegation was planning to do 2 kinds of activities: One was to make a bead bracelet and the other was to write children’s Cambodian names in their native language.
This proposal was accepted by the school principal. It was accepted because, I think, this preschool is a relatively modern school. If in a poor village, it would have been very difficult to even suggest this idea to teachers. Our project should be recognized as meaningful by the local people; otherwise how can teachers allow us to replace their original classes with other activities or how can parents send their children to the program instead of helping housework.
However, it’s also true that we can’t ignore children’s curiosity even in a poor area. If they see colorful beads and crayons, they would feel they want to use and play with those! In a remote area where substantial support is needed, we should respond to their needs first, and then we can bring in this kind of program additionally.
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