Cambodia HIV/AIDS Prevention English for Life Programs
Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder, is home to majestic temple ruins, rainforests, laid- back coastal resorts, an increasingly cosmopolitan capital, and warm gracious people. Global Service Corps participants discover Cambodia by living, working and learning with Cambodian people in their own communities. Participants join the staff of a residential children’s center, orphanage or community-based education program, sharing their time, talents, experience and knowledge with teachers, students and community members. Living with a Cambodian host, participants are immersed in the customs of the local culture by taking part in daily family activities. Evenings and weekends provide time for excursions around the area, seeing artisans at work producing hand-made crafts, visiting temples and museums, and perhaps joining a local festival. Global Service Corps provides a variety of project placements. By evaluating each participant’s interests and skills as well as the community’s needs, every effort is made to match the participant with the appropriate placement to ensure a mutually rewarding experience for both. English for Life In 2007, GSC launched its “English for Life” program in Thailand, which brought English language and HIV/AIDS prevention training to nearly 300 secondary school students and 45 of their teachers. We are now working with selected local non-profit organizations to bring the best practices of this unique and successful program to Cambodia. Program placements are available in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The Cambodia HIV/AIDS Prevention English for Life Programs provide direct education, and build the skills of local teachers in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and HIV/AIDS Prevention. English is not part of the Cambodian public school curriculum. However, many residential children’s centers, orphanages, private nonprofit schools, and community-based organizations offer English language instruction, recognizing its importance to the future livelihoods of the children and youth in their care. Both teachers and students often have poor speaking and listening skills and this is where GSC volunteer participants are truly valuable. Cambodia has made great strides in turning the tide of the HIV epidemic; however, young people remain vulnerable and often do not receive sufficient attention from HIV/AIDS prevention organizations. Teachers are often shy to bring up issues related to HIV/AIDS in the classroom. GSC volunteers have the opportunity to help close this knowledge gap, increase teachers’ comfort levels in teaching HIV/AIDS prevention, and keep future generations safe from this disease.
Prior to departure, participants are provided an EFL teaching manual and/or an HIV/AIDS prevention manual, depending on the participants’ specific program. The EFL manual is full of tips for the classroom, including sample lesson plans and time tested games and activities. The HIV/AIDS manual provides information on the status of the epidemic in Cambodia, risk behaviors, and harm reduction strategies. It includes a focus on the gender issues that fuel the epidemic in Cambodia. During the orientation week, participants are given an introduction to teaching EFL and HIV/AIDS prevention. Topics covered during the training include: what to expect in the classroom; previous English training of students; classroom management; lesson planning and effective use of games and activities. GSC will prepare you with role-play materials, conversation practice outlines, and games and activities for use in the classroom. While at their placement site, some volunteers will be paired with a teacher and teach beginning English for kindergarten and primary school students (K-6) and conversational English for secondary school students (7-12). Others will train and coach the teachers in HIV/AIDS prevention. Some participants may assist in both conversational English and HIV/AID prevention. Volunteers will receive mentoring from local teachers in the cultural aspects of teaching in Cambodia, while teachers will improve their skills in teaching EFL and HIV/AIDS prevention. Sample Itinerary Arrival Day Arrival in Phnom Penh. Participants are met at Pochentang Airport by the GSC In-Country Coordinator (ICC) and transported to the hotel. Unpack, rest and relax. Your first night in Phnom Penh will culminate in a Khmer dinner with fellow participants and the ICC. ICC meets all participants and escorts you for two days of touring. The tour includes visits to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Killing Fields at Cheoung Ek and an evening conversation with a Khmer Rouge survivor. Your orientation continues with Khmer language lessons, an introduction to Khmer Buddhism, an introduction to your project, and training in EFL and HIV/AIDS prevention. The orientation will include a traditional Khmer performance, which may consist of dance, music, shadow puppetry, or a circus. You will be introduced to your homestay hosts and have time to get acquainted with your new Cambodian family. Typically, you will work five days per week at your project site. During one of the weekends you will participate on a three-day excursion to Siem Reap. You will take a bus ride through an idyllic countryside of rice fields to Siem Reap where you will visit Angkor Wat and the National Silk Farm. On other weekends, participants are free to spend time with their local host family or organize independent weekend trips. Depart for the U.S.A.
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