Riverkids Project, Phnom Penh Day two of the project... I'm not working with orphans but they are some of the poorest children in Phnom Penh. The project was only set up in 2007. It is based by the slums along the river. It has 3 'houses' with different aged kids. The kids are scouted by the project co-ordinators, alongside social workers, from the slums. They look for particularly neglected children or children that are clearly at risk of trafficking. Some kids who are invited to go to school are excited by the prospect but after a few weeks they are not interested and give up.
I have about 10 children between 9 and 17, most are 9-11. They are great kids, eager to learn! Their level of English is quite basic, learning the alphabet, days of the week, animals and thier noises! Playing games is a huge part of it, surprise surprise, (today Duck Duck Goose was a huge hit!), so i need to brush up on lots and lots of games! Every Friday we just play games and do activites. They have been provided with 5 computers so we use them everyday too. Its just another way to learn letters etc. through games rather than learning about computer programs. There is always a fight over them, they are obsessed with Sonic Spelling!

Its raining today in Phnom Penh and the locals are complaining its cold!

Look out for my next post which will be after my first full week!