Today is International Day of Education

 Dear Friends,

We hope you are all doing well. Today is International Day of Education. As we all know education has been challenging during this pandemic with schools closing, on line learning and children/youth having limited interactions with schoolmates and friends. In lower-income/developing countries there have also been some school closures and lack of access to online studying. The global economic slow down has sadly devastated poor family incomes and more young people are at risk of dropping out of school due to lack of funds.Education transforms lives! As many of you know a large part of what KIDS does is giving young people the opportunity to get an education.

We have been able to continue all of our education programs and education support by providing school supplies for students, which the schools, kids and families are very happy to receive.

 

K.I.D.S. recently delivered more bicycles to students, so they can get to school.

We also continue to fund the kindergarten program in Stung Treng province for 45 children, they are very happy to go to school, as there is so little to do in their village and early childhood gives them a head start.

 

K.I.D.S. English programs are going well and we are able to provide food for some of our school programs, during these hard times as many families are facing food shortages.

K.I.D.S. vocational training program continues and another 10 young people have come to live with K.I.D.S. Smart Kids manager Hak and his family in the city. Some students will attend vocational hospitality training school, while others will study electrical trades and computer technology. The young people are very excited to come to the city and have this opportunity to change their futures. We continue to fund computer programs and sponsor young people who are pursuing degrees in education, accounting, computer science and business management.

 

And finally just this week we had seven students (2 have found employment and could not make the ceremony) who have graduated from the Paul Dubrule hospitality training institute. They have pedaled thousands of kilometres through scorching heat, pouring rain and muddy rutted roads on their bikes, they moved and made tons of bricks as child labourers to get to hold those certificates. For the most part they are the first in their families to graduate from elementary school, high school and post-secondary education. K.I.D.S. has been supporting their entire education since grade 6...watching their commitment and determination has been humbling. 

 

Thank You for giving children wings
through education to take flight on
their own

This is all made possible by
your generosity of kindness.

Till Next Time
Adrianne and Rick

 

Riding Into The New Year

Dear Friends, 

We want to wish you all a Happy New Year!! As we say goodbye, to what has been a very difficult year for so many around the world, we want to also acknowledge the kindness, compassion and generosity we have experienced and observed, and all of us at K.I.D.S. thank everyone for your support.

We are pleased to say that recently we were able to start our bicycle distribution program to students and families in Cambodia. Each year, K.I.D.S. provides hundreds of bicycles that help young people get to school. Our friend and partner Kim Thol and his brother recently delivered bikes to some of the neediest children at several rural schools. The families also use the bikes to get to markets and to clinics. Needless to say, the students and families were very happy!!! A bike makes the difference between getting an education or not.

 

 

 

We also continue our COVID relief for families who are unable to provide for their children due to lack of work right now. The families are very grateful for this support during these very difficult times. 

The older students in our Smart Kids education program along with the Smart Kids Manager Mr. Hak, buy all the food and give out a small stipend to help the families get through the month.... hence the hand-drawn decorated envelopes. 

Sohing, who runs the K.I.D.S. Farm School English program also helps distribute funds and food each month for student’s families, thanks to K.I.D.S. donors.

As this New Year unfolds we are hopeful that we will all find ways to make it through these trying times. We have been getting many messages from our Cambodian friends and kids and they pass on their wishes for “ happiness, good health, good luck, a long life and success”. We echo their wishes to you all.

Take care,
Until next time,
Adrianne and Rick