News

The XO is not a “traditional” laptop used as a tool to get things done. It also is not a tool to “just” play games. Rather it can be viewed as a tool that familiarizes children with some of the technology and features used in “traditional” laptops while building knowledge and critical thinking skills. The XO software encourages users to learn through exploration and expression. It engages children in acquiring knowledge based on their interests and allows them to utilize built-in technologies to share and critique their work.

When the Cambodian NGO P.R.I.D.E. (a partner of One Laptop per Child [OLPC]), donated 25 XO laptops to EYC last September, we immediately were excited about the opportunity to enhance the learning experience and foster the technical and information acquiring skills of our younger students via the XO laptop.

The XO was designed and built especially for children in developing countries. It features a screen that is readable under direct sunlight, is energy efficient, and tolerates the high temperatures and humidity of Cambodia. Moreover, it comes complete with a keyboard that has Khmer language character and some software supporting Khmer.

After receiving these laptops we developed and implemented an XO class held thrice a week at our Aziza school for students between 9 and 14 years of age. Given the students’ excitement and learning progress through this program we are now in the process of offering the XO program to students at our Youth School and if enough XO laptops can be obtained, at all EYC schools.

Our students love learning and gaining their first computer experiences with this device. As 10-year old XO student Kirng  Sophy told his teacher, “I like to learn with the XO. Now I know some programs. When I know how to use new programs I feel so happy”.

What excites us most about offering the XOs to our students is the focus on self-directed learning. I firmly believe and have personally observed how it improves a young student’s critical thinking skills and simultaneously fosters empowerment; thus directly supporting EYC’s objectives. Cambodia’s wealthier children often have this type of access, and hopefully soon all interested children in the poor communities EYC serves will have too.

For general program or technical information you may contact Kunthy Teng, our IT Manager at tsokunthy@gmail.com

EYC’s youth cycling program, “EYCycling” takes top placements at races and is looking for sponsors.

The EYC cycling team (EYCycling) is currently shopping for sponsors at all levels to allow its members to compete at races and pay for the cost of bike maintenance and gear.

The EYCycling team is the latest activity in EYC’s sports program. The team’s fifteen? highly active members are students at the EYC schools and vividly display team work and sportsmanship during their weekly group rides and as participants at bike races across Cambodia.

While EYCycling’s objectives are to promote a healthy lifestyle and bike safety, reduce traffic congestion and noise/air pollution, the members’ competitive nature and thirst for achievement is evident in the twelve top-3 placements the team achieved in races during the first half of this year (in 4 categories).

Since this student initiative is only partially funded by EYC, the team is currently searching for additional corporate/organizational sponsorship to offset the cost of safety gear, bike maintenance, and participation at races.

Depending on the level of sponsorship, sponsors will have their logo or name printed on the team jerseys, race banners, as well as other marketing outlets.

Mr. Heab Sok Huoch can be contacted at sokhuochforyou@yahoo.com for additional information.

EYC’s Community Organizing Committee raises awareness about how waste management affects their community and conducts a garbage clean-up in one of Phnom Penh’s “slums”.

EYC’s Development and Community Organizing Officer, Ms. Hem Nareth, successfully organized and lead the third garbage clean-up initiative at the “Building Community” in Phnom Penh; the run-down residential building blocks where the Aziza school is located.

This half-day program was divided into three parts:

1. Creating awareness
2. The physical clean-up
3. Post-activity reflection

As part of ‘creating awareness’ the group focused on and illustrated three consequences of improper waste management to the community: The health risks to residents, their reputation/image as perceived by others, and how improving conditions can help stop forced evictions that may be looming.

Given some of the forced evictions and associated hardship experienced by multiple Phnom Penh communities in recent years, the last point resonated strongly with community residents when the community organizing group rallied people with megaphones. Hearing the carefully crafted messages, residents opened their doors and sent their children out to help, resulting in over 100 people joining the effort.

Garbage has long been a problem in this community but has been significantly improved since our community organizing team has put their efforts on this.  Last year a massive clean-up cleared a staircase that had been filled with garbage far beyond usability.  This year we could focus on raising awareness and cleaning smaller pockets of garbage.  Cleaning crews also scrubbed indoor surfaces with soap and water, bringing cheer to old hallways and stairways.

After properly disposing of the collected waste, volunteers, residents, and the village chief met to discuss and reflect on the day’s activities and underlying importance of changing their behavior in this matter. Organizers plan to make signs and art to send a clear message about proper garbage disposal.

In addition to the other services we provide through the Aziza school, EYC is pleased that we could use this opportunity to further engage the community to be active participants in building a better community.