With my last day at CITA quickly approaching, I came into work today to find my colleagues all gathered around one computer. As soon as I walked in the door, they motioned for me to come over - they all seemed very excited to show me what they had found. They showed me the following video, explaining they had found it just for me. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and I think I did a little of both.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
CITA
As mentioned in a previous post, I work for a pretty incredible guy...Mr. Rong Chhun. Following that post, many of you have asked what it is exactly that I do for the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA). At first this appeared to be a simple answer…I was brought here to facilitate and develop CITA’s long term strategic plan (essentially a guide for them to carry out their mission and objectives). However, after being here a few months, I’ve realized my task here is much broader. Yes, I have helped CITA develop their strategic plan, but more importantly, they are continually looking to me to build the capacity of the CITA staff and leadership and provide them with tools and resources to run a more effective organization long after I am gone.
I can’t say this has been an easy job, all meetings require a translator, meetings are often cancelled or postponed, we seem to have more holidays than work days and I don’t think anyone at the organization really understands what a strategic plan is.
In spite of these challenges, I’ve really enjoyed my time at CITA. My colleagues are great, a few speak limited English, and one speaks English fairly well who acts as my translator. The actual office on the other hand…is far from great. It’s one big open room with six desks. No AC, just one central fan, and a very disgusting bathroom that pretty much only consists of a hole in the ground. Funny to think I used to complain because my office in SF didn’t have a view of the golden gate bridge...what I would give now for a toilet, yes, just a simple, functioning, standing toilet!
The outside of CITA
The office
Sotras and Sophea - colleagues
Sotras and Petras - colleagues
The dreaded bathroom
For those of you who are interested in learning more about CITA, and why organizations like CITA are needed in Cambodia…I’ve included some interesting data points about current issues teachers face in Cambodia and the impacts to the education system (or lack thereof):
• Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Life expectancy is 56 and 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.
• As of 2009, Cambodia’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) list was 137 out of 182 countries.
• In addition to being a relatively poor country with a low HDI ranking, Cambodia is also near the top of the list of the most corrupt countries in the world as ranked by Transparency International.
• Cambodia’s population is very young – 50% of the population are under 18 years old.
• During the Pol Pot (Khmer Rouge) era teachers were systematically killed and the education system was largely destroyed. In 1970 there were more than 200,000 teachers in Cambodia and by 1980 there were only 5,000.
The education system has slowly been rebuilt – however, many challenges still remain.
• Teachers receive a salary of between $20–40 a month which is not enough to cover basic needs,
• Curriculum is outdated, facilities are extremely limited and teachers receive very little training and continuing education.
• In a recent report issued by a partner NGO focusing on education here in Cambodia – the most widely cited causes of teacher dissatisfaction were inadequate pay, followed closely by corruption/nepotism and poor leadership.
Corruption in the education system is rampant here (students paying teachers to allow them in the classroom, paying for tests, teachers required to give headmasters a portion of their salary, and the list goes on and on).
It is exam week here in Cambodia (all 12th graders take final exams to graduate high school) so today, Mr. Rong Chhun decided to take me on a little field trip to see some of the corruption first hand. We visited a few high schools and it was absolutely shocking to see the blatant corruption. Kids, adults, police were gathered in masses along the school gates trying to sell photocopies of the exam answers to students. It was absolutely surreal to see.
I can’t say this has been an easy job, all meetings require a translator, meetings are often cancelled or postponed, we seem to have more holidays than work days and I don’t think anyone at the organization really understands what a strategic plan is.
In spite of these challenges, I’ve really enjoyed my time at CITA. My colleagues are great, a few speak limited English, and one speaks English fairly well who acts as my translator. The actual office on the other hand…is far from great. It’s one big open room with six desks. No AC, just one central fan, and a very disgusting bathroom that pretty much only consists of a hole in the ground. Funny to think I used to complain because my office in SF didn’t have a view of the golden gate bridge...what I would give now for a toilet, yes, just a simple, functioning, standing toilet!
The outside of CITA
The office
Sotras and Sophea - colleagues
Sotras and Petras - colleagues
The dreaded bathroom
For those of you who are interested in learning more about CITA, and why organizations like CITA are needed in Cambodia…I’ve included some interesting data points about current issues teachers face in Cambodia and the impacts to the education system (or lack thereof):
• Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Life expectancy is 56 and 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.
• As of 2009, Cambodia’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) list was 137 out of 182 countries.
• In addition to being a relatively poor country with a low HDI ranking, Cambodia is also near the top of the list of the most corrupt countries in the world as ranked by Transparency International.
• Cambodia’s population is very young – 50% of the population are under 18 years old.
• During the Pol Pot (Khmer Rouge) era teachers were systematically killed and the education system was largely destroyed. In 1970 there were more than 200,000 teachers in Cambodia and by 1980 there were only 5,000.
The education system has slowly been rebuilt – however, many challenges still remain.
• Teachers receive a salary of between $20–40 a month which is not enough to cover basic needs,
• Curriculum is outdated, facilities are extremely limited and teachers receive very little training and continuing education.
• In a recent report issued by a partner NGO focusing on education here in Cambodia – the most widely cited causes of teacher dissatisfaction were inadequate pay, followed closely by corruption/nepotism and poor leadership.
Corruption in the education system is rampant here (students paying teachers to allow them in the classroom, paying for tests, teachers required to give headmasters a portion of their salary, and the list goes on and on).
It is exam week here in Cambodia (all 12th graders take final exams to graduate high school) so today, Mr. Rong Chhun decided to take me on a little field trip to see some of the corruption first hand. We visited a few high schools and it was absolutely shocking to see the blatant corruption. Kids, adults, police were gathered in masses along the school gates trying to sell photocopies of the exam answers to students. It was absolutely surreal to see.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thankfulness Certificate
Yesterday Mr. Rong Chhun asked me to type up a certificate for myself as a thank you from CITA. I typed exactly what he stated, with the exception of changing Mr. Crystal Scott to Ms.
Not sure which news I should break to him first...a) that I'm not a man or b) that it's not common practice to ask someone to make their own thank you certificates. Too funny.
Thankfulness Certificate
The Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association
Extreme Gratefulness and Respectfulness
To Ms. Crystal Scott
Who has sacrificed and contributed to serve in the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association. Through volunteering, without charging any amount of money, you have strengthened our association. I wish you happiness and prosperity in your life accompanying with the five blessings from Buddha: enjoyment of long living life, successfulness, sovereignty, wealth and strength.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
August 2010
Rong Chhun, CITA President
Not sure which news I should break to him first...a) that I'm not a man or b) that it's not common practice to ask someone to make their own thank you certificates. Too funny.
Thankfulness Certificate
The Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association
Extreme Gratefulness and Respectfulness
To Ms. Crystal Scott
Who has sacrificed and contributed to serve in the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association. Through volunteering, without charging any amount of money, you have strengthened our association. I wish you happiness and prosperity in your life accompanying with the five blessings from Buddha: enjoyment of long living life, successfulness, sovereignty, wealth and strength.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
August 2010
Rong Chhun, CITA President
Monday, July 19, 2010
Kratie
This past weekend, Lisa and I decided to escape the chaos of Phnom Penh and venture to Kratie, a sleepy little Mekong River town about six hours northeast of Phnom Penh. Kratie is most well known for being the home of the Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare type of dolphin that lives in the fresh water of the Mekong River. It is estimated that there are only about 80 of these dolphins left worldwide.
Lisa and I had a great weekend experiencing rural life in Cambodia. We took a boat out in the Mekong to see the dolphins, biked around an island, played volleyball with local kids and took a moto drive around the countryside.
Our yummy snack options at the bus bathroom stop: baby birds(?), tarantulas and crickets.
I have tried, more like was forced to try, crickets by my local neighbors...can't say they tasted all that bad but not something I'd casually pick up to snack on.
Poor little birds!
Tarantulas
Boat trip in the Mekong to see the dolphins
Yun, the dolphin whisperer. Yun was a little too cool for school...loved the cig hanging from his mouth the whole time.
We were lucky enough to see the dolphins quite a few times but never quick enough to capture them on camera
Me and Yun
Lisa taking over for Yun for a bit
Our friends we made at dinner later that night...local 'models' that were featured in a Men of Kratie calendar. $1 of the proceeds go to protecting the dolphins so Lisa and I did our part to save the dolphins by purchasing a calendar (or two).
Getting ready to board the "ferry" to ride around the island
The "ferry"
Biking around the island
Lisa and I decided to show off our volleyball skills with the local kids
Guys on the ferry ride back who really wanted me to take their pictures
Crusin' on my moto
Lisa and I had a great weekend experiencing rural life in Cambodia. We took a boat out in the Mekong to see the dolphins, biked around an island, played volleyball with local kids and took a moto drive around the countryside.
Our yummy snack options at the bus bathroom stop: baby birds(?), tarantulas and crickets.
I have tried, more like was forced to try, crickets by my local neighbors...can't say they tasted all that bad but not something I'd casually pick up to snack on.
Poor little birds!
Tarantulas
Boat trip in the Mekong to see the dolphins
Yun, the dolphin whisperer. Yun was a little too cool for school...loved the cig hanging from his mouth the whole time.
We were lucky enough to see the dolphins quite a few times but never quick enough to capture them on camera
Me and Yun
Lisa taking over for Yun for a bit
Our friends we made at dinner later that night...local 'models' that were featured in a Men of Kratie calendar. $1 of the proceeds go to protecting the dolphins so Lisa and I did our part to save the dolphins by purchasing a calendar (or two).
Getting ready to board the "ferry" to ride around the island
The "ferry"
Biking around the island
Lisa and I decided to show off our volleyball skills with the local kids
Guys on the ferry ride back who really wanted me to take their pictures
Crusin' on my moto
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