ADRA Connections: Building cafeteria for school feeding/education by Sahmyook Foods

Date: 1 August 2023 to 1 October 2023
Area: Kravanh district, Pursat Province
Budget: Total 15,000 USD
Donors: Sahmyook Foods and ADRA Korea

The ADRA Korean funded Pursat Child Sponsorship (PCS) program in Pursat Province has been implemented since 2011 and is focused on improved education and community development. Most of the programs efforts are in 44 villages of 6 communes in Kravanh district’s population of 58,210.

Volunteers from Sahmyook Foods were planned as a complement to the PCS program. This group of volunteers aimed to improve the quality of life for poor families in rural Kravanh district so that they can have access to education and nutrition. The group planned to join primary schools – helping to build a cafeteria at Kampeng Primary School, repairing fences, adding 12 fans, painting Paint the walls of the library at Sre Pongrol Primary School (Korean School) during their field activities. Volunteers also distributed shoes, toys, ball, pens and pencils to share with students and their teachers.

The volunteer group arrived in Phnom Penh on Saturday night August 19, 2023 and visiting the ADRA Cambodia Administration office for orientation on Sunday morning August 20, 2023.  During the orientation, they learned about the history of Cambodia and ADRA Cambodia, they were oriented in Safeguarding and local practices, participated in a short activity about nutrition needs, especially for poor students at the project area and drew their expectation of the Connections Trip.

After the orientation, the group traveled to Pursat town in northwestern Cambodia. They started their work in Kravanh district, which is about 40 kms from Pursat town.  Each day the group divided into 2 groups to do various work, each team working with a translator and ADRA staff.

From Monday to Tuesday 20-21 August at Kampeng school

• The first team of 5 members was led by Pastor BO-YONG JUNG, translators, and ADRA staff. They shared traditional Korean Song and dance and taught handcrafts with 70 students from grades 4 and 5 in the morning and with 70 students from grades 4 and 6 in the afternoon.
• The second team of 7 members was led by GIL-SEUP SIM and ADRA staff. They helped the local contractors in building the cafeteria. The translator came to help when there was a need.
• Both teams distribute school supplies to the schools.

From Wednesday to Thursday 23-24 August at Srea Pong Role school, (Jun soo school)

• The first team of with same members shared traditional Korean Song and dance and taught handcrafts with 50 students from grades 4 and 5 in the morning and with 50 students from grades 5 and 6 in the afternoon.
• The second team with the same 7 members helping the local contractors in building the fence posts and fence posts and painting the library walls. The translator came to help when there was a need.
• Both teams distribute school supplies to schools and shoes to students and teachers.

The Connections team also visited Kroch Chhur village were ADRA Korea help build the road and enjoyed lunch in the village.  

On Friday 25^th August 2023, in the morning the team met at the ADRA Pursat office for a wrap-up session, to review all the activities that the team had been done through the week. A few members have shared their expectations compared with the actual experience.

The group was able to experience all planned activities, foods, and fruits.  They had good teamwork even though there was hot weather during the day. They were able to work with students and local construction teams. The project was completed successfully on time.