Tag: Lovea

This was my second visit to the school. The first was over a weekend meeting with Mr Pagna that was quiet and business-like. This was different; the classroom was packed with students, children were loitering around waiting for their classes to start and the voice of the children reciting English statements rang aloud in unison. The enthusiasm was overwhelming.

There are two beginners’ classes in the morning. The first is simply called ‘ABC’. It focuses on word recognition and pronunciation. In this class, the teacher drew pictures on the whiteboard for children to take turns to identify them and to write the first alphabet of the word. The second class is called ‘SPELL’, which as the name suggests, focuses on learning to spell words correctly. Here, we enjoyed watching competitions between pairs of students dashing up to the whiteboard to point at words read out by the teacher. What came next was a pleasant surprise; those statements were sang into melodies. I cannot but appreciate the variety in the manner the lessons were delivered despite of the absence of teaching materials.

In between the classes, we talked with the teachers and the top two needs raised were

1. Student textbooks and workbooks

2. Improving the level of English competency among the teachers

Since there are no street lights in the village, I was expecting the six night classes to have fewer students. But I was wrong! In fact, the night classes were more packed.

As I observed one of the classes, I smiled to myself because I noticed two teachers who taught in the afternoon’s pre-school level seated among the students. The teachers want to improve their own level of English competency so that they can be better teachers! A song came to my mind, ‘And the Gift goes….. on and on and on’.

The 2 ladies in red (middle of picture) were teaching the afternoon classes.

After this visit, I feel very heartened by the dedication and passion of the teachers to teach and learn English. It is our prayer that their good work will continue so that they can benefit Lovea Village.

In a jaunty mood we left for the Kingdom of Wonder

With a good dose of fun and humour.

Up and down the bumpy and dusty red road

We traversed with our happy loads.

With plans on our minds

And donations-in-kind

Tucked away safely at the back of Mr Vichea’s van,

We were cheered by the sight of whirring fans

And new fluorescent lights

To brighten the nights

At Lovea Primary School.

With classrooms now cooled,

The workers toiled in the breeze,

Tiling a classroom with thankful ease.

All tooled up and in a jovial mood,

Clyde and Nina made the once-broken school benches good.

Meanwhile at Thansure School,

Teacher Sina and Principal Yoo

Were happy with their renovations too.

We made our way to PCEF, an English school

Where songs of ABCs are heard

And seeds of dreams are planted.

Mr Pagna shared his concerns with us.

An understanding of his school operations is a must

For Love-A-Village to decide on our future plans.

Mr Sophanny, a soccer fan,

Rendered us a great deal of help.

His sincerity was deeply felt

And to boot his work was speedy.

At Cambodia Catering Company,

Janice and San San held negotiations

To procure our events’ refreshments.

On day 5, we welcomed Aslyn, Pearl, Pierre, Jing Rong and Parry.

And on day 6, along came Leon, Lynn and Sally.

Dear God, we thank you for your blessings!