Friday 2 December 2011

Introducing the boys


Phola is 19 years old. He is in Grade 12, and will be the first to finish school and graduate from the half-way house. Phola would like to continue onto University once he has finished school and would like to become a teacher.

Phola is a very smart and is 10th in his class (out of 100 students). He studies hard and helps out around the house.


Chie is 18 years old and in Grade 11.

He would like to be a teacher when he finishes school but is still unsure at the moment.

He likes to play soccer, watch TV and talk to his friends. He is the joker of the house and likes to play around. He can talk for hours!




Phos is 18 years old and in Grade 10.

He would like to go to University when he finishes school and become a doctor. He would like to make a difference in Cambodia and help his people.

Phos likes to rollerblade, play soccer, talk to his friends and study.





Sombo 18 years old and in Grade 10.

He would like to finish school and become a teacher.

Sombo is our 'charmer' and enjoys talking to girls! He also likes to play soccer, rollerblade, play volleyball, talk to friends and watch TV.






Saray is 19 years old and in Grade 10.

He would like to become a teacher when he finishes school. He studies very hard and is doing well at school.

Saray is our quiet achiever. He likes to play and take care of Tokla (house-parents son) and is really good with him.
He likes to play volleyball, soccer and rollerblade and watch TV.



Sei is 18 years old and in Grade 10.

He is very studious and is always studying. Sei takes his study very seriously and enjoys going to school and learning more.

Sei also enjoys playing volleyball, soccer and rollerblading.






No is 17 years old and in Grade 8.

He is the baby of the family. No has come to live with us after coming back from working in Thailand. Since returning he has gone back to school and is doing really well and has made lots of new friends.

No loves rollerblading and is good at it. He also likes to play soccer and volleyball and watch TV.





Nay and Sophon are our houseparents. Nay is a tuktuk driver who works very hard to earn money for his family. He was my driver and became more like a personal assistant. Sophon is our cook and does an excellent job. She has to go to the markets every morning and cook three meals a day for 10 people. They are a lovely, caring and trustworthy couple.
Tokla is their three year old son. He is such a cute and happy little boy. He loves his trucks and bike (thanks to Jim and Vivienne Putland). The boys are teaching him English and he likes to greet all visitors with "Hello and Bye, Bye".

Settling In- Update Dec 2011

Well, we are all settled into the "Stepping Out" Half-way house, we have been here for two months now. The boys are enjoying their new school and making new friends.

We have 7 boys in the program. They have had to move into town, change schools and start learning how to live independently. I am so happy with their progress and behaviour so far, they are a pleasure to have here.

The boys go to school (Mon-Sat) at 7am-12, have lunch and then go back to school for their extra lessons from 1-4:30pm, and after dinner study more and do homework. When they arrive home from school they usually have a game of volleyball or kick the ball around- I don't know where they find all their energy after riding to and from school all day!

Sunday is normally our "Family Day". I like to do something as a group and get the boys away from studying and outside.
I have introduced the boys to rollerblading, thanks to my friend Ashley McDonald. They love it! At first they spent most of the time on the floor but they are slowly improving. It is very entertaining to watch but they scare me alot. They are becoming a little too confident and want to try to do some of the jumps which they are not ready for!! They are ok getting up the jump but aren't so good coming down! There are always a few injuries after but they all want to go back the next day. It is so nice to see them interested in something new and its good exercise for them.
The boys will also play soccer with some friends they made each Sunday afternoon. Now to buy them soccer clothes and boots!

In our family we also have our house parents, Nay and Sophon, and their three year old son, Tokla. Sophon cooks for the boys (boys have a roster to help her). It is a big job cooking for 7 growing boys, who like to eat around 4 bowls of rice each! We are so lucky to have them with us. It is also good having Nay and his family here as he is an excellent role-model for the boys, he is a great husband and father. The boys also adore Tokla, they always play with him and are teaching him English.