The establishment of Mekhala House demonstrates a long term commitment to the welfare of female Cambodian orphans by FDCC. Our initial aim has been to establish an environment that provides for basic needs such as the children’s health, safety and security. However, we recognise that long term needs of the children are much greater.
While the children attend the local school so they can integrate into the community, FDCC provides educational programs that the local school cannot provide such as English language and computer lessons. Also, the children have lessons in life skills and cultural activities such as Khmer dancing.
We believe a strong emphasis on learning is important for the children to have the best opportunity to live happy and fulfilling lives and to enhance employment opportunities.
An important focus of our educational programs is to develop leadership skills among the children. In Cambodia, females have traditionally not been given the same access to education as males and therefore have not been empowered to become leaders within the community.
We are working with the staff to help the girls develop self-confidence and have increased control over their lives. The children are encouraged to express themselves, often in front of a large group. Also, the older girls are provided with leadership and mentoring opportunities and are encouraged to provide input into issues at Mekhala House.
FDCC is establishing programs to allow the older children (13 – 16 years old) to learn about what opportunities they have in life and to work towards determining what they would like to do in their career given their interests and capabilities.
Recognising that the children have little exposure beyond their local rural community, providing information on the wider world outside their home town is crucial. For example, we will invite people from different professions to address the children on their area of work or on what to expect if they go to university. Also we will take the children on excursions to learn about life and to develop survival skills outside their own small community.
In this context, each child has unique needs and wants and so our aim is to develop networks within the Cambodian community that can assist each child pursue their goals.
The Cambodian staff actively participate in the development of all programs because FDCC understands the need to take account of Cambodian culture and social norms when implementing programs for the children.
We anticipate that in the longer term, we will continue to provide emotional care and support after the children are old enough to leave Mekhala House, e.g. to go to university or to paid employment. This transition will be a crucial phase in the children’s lives and we believe it is important to support them through this phase until they are mature enough to live independently.
FDCC understands not all of the girls will have career ambitions and some may be happy to lead fulfilling lives raising a family in the local community. We will be happy with this outcome – the main objective is to give the children control over their own lives so they can shape their destiny.