... from the slum at the old dump site at Steng Mean Chey ...
... who want to have the chance to attend a sewing skills training course with the team from 'Sew Empowered'. It seems like only yesterday that we started the sewing skills training course in 2006 and we look forward to seeing a new group of seven women learn the trade.
A training program has now been designed and the group will commence their first session in early February after the necessary equipment and related items have been purchased.
While we were in the slum ...
... one of the men who was part of the group relocated from the dump site to a new site several hours drive from the city reported on his ill health since moving ...
... as well as the numerous other challenges that face those that were relocated. Having seen a few of the government relocation projects, we know only too well what he was talking about.
While we visited the slum, Sandra ...
... an Australian nurse who has been running a medical clinic in the slum, was kept busy with requests for dental appointments.
This cute little guy is 10 months old ...
... and we were told that his parents 'took off' and left him with his auntie when he was only 5 months old. Auntie is HIV positive and so is her child. I wonder what the future holds for this little man!
Visiting the girls in the 'Hairdressing & Beauty' course was a special treat. When we arrived they had almost completed a beauty training session and it was great to see them in action.
The girls are doing really well and we are delighted to see the hope they now have for the future. It's great to offer skills training to those who haven't had the opportunity of a formal education so that they do not have to miss out on a career.
They're passionate about learning the trade and it's great for us to see how far they have come since their days in the slum by the riverside. Excellent!
Some of the ladies from the Koh Krobey village project ...
... attended a personal development training session with a few of them bringing their little ones with them ...
... which means they are ...
... getting a head start on their personal development by attending with their mum (or mom, depending on where you come from) before moving on to something a little more interesting ...
... like roaming around outside in the dirt ...
... and loving it!
