Yesterday (2nd of March 2010) the airport in Phnom Penh was unusually crowded. The family clans of nine young Cambodians had appeared to say goodbye to their juniors that left the homeland to participate in a 6-month voluntary service in Italy. Most of them never before were abroad, most of them presumably would never have the chance to go the Europe. However, they were selected to participate in the Interface II project, a youth programme financed by the European Union.
The Cambodians, the youngest is 22, the oldest 26, will join three different Italian NGOs. Three are going to C.E.S.I.E in Palermo, three to Eurocultura in Vicenca and three to bbjshare.it in Spoleto, the NGO that developed the project and is responsible for the coordination.
All Volunteers have been prepared for their stay abroad by bbjshare.it in Cambodia. During a 4-days-workshop they got an introduction to the political system of the European Union, the youth policy of the EU as well as European culture and traditions. They got a few lessons in Italian and some practical tips, e.g. how to find the right plane in Bangkok. The parents were also included in the preparation. They were informed, how we will take care of their children and why such a stay abroad is a big chance for the professional future of their children.
Volunteers and parents confirmed that they feel well prepared. Nevertheless, saying good-bye was difficult. Many cried because they will miss their loved ones and the trip is a big adventure. But many of the young Cambodians are also worrying that they cannot fulfil the expectations of the European NGOs.
In the meantime, they arrived in Italy and according to the first feedbacks, the pain of parting is gone; it is replaced by the curiosity on what comes up next. The volunteers promised to report regularly about their experience in Europe on this Blog.
On Friday, 5th of March, another three Cambodians will fly to Portugal. They will work with the NGO VERTIGEM.
Dear all of our Cambodian friends in Europe.
we in Palermo are fine and everything is going smoothly because we always talk openly to each other and help as well, even if we are not in the same flat. Everyday, we are working in three children centers and studying at italian school for three hours, three days per week. We have a lot of fun here because we have been many places, and that’s why we have spent almost all our pocket money. We are fighting for the holiday time on June to Roma and finding a cheap flight through http://www.skyscanner.com
I hope all of you are suitable with life in europe, Italia and Portugal.
Many greetings and missing from Palermo.
seila, satra and sovatha
By: bbjshare on March 28, 2010
at 7:11 am
Buongiorno Tutti! Come state? Noi staimo bene bene, e Parliamo pocco pocco italiano. Miei amici sono bellisimma e amichevole. ogni fine settimana, Noi andiamo alla montagna e Caslte di Doumo e cultural cena con amici internazionali.
Noi lavoriamo al centro i bambini. dopo due mesi, si cambia il nostro lavoro se possiamo parlare Italiano bene bene o molto molto…
Ci manca tutti…
Apresto.,.
seila. satra e sovatha
By: bbjshare on March 28, 2010
at 1:34 pm
What should I do? how can I be selected If I were a 2-university student?
By: Sovandara Ly on April 5, 2010
at 4:46 pm
What news of 3 Youth Cambodian Volunteers in Palermo?
Dear all,
FIRSTLY, LET ME EXTEND my warmest appreciation to BBJSHARE of today’s project called European Voluntary Service, for giving me a chance to participate. Moreover, I would like to say thanks to YRDP organization which selected me to participate in the final interview among many youths.
My discipline study is International Relation so this is a very good chance for me to build an aboard network and learn new experiences from a developed country. One good reason for such a network is that the ties between Asia and Europe should be strengthened. When I come back to Cambodia, I will bring what I have learnt here to develop our country although I know that my small continuation is not strong enough to develop Cambodia but I believe that what I did will develop it step by step. For me, I think that empowering youth is a very good way to build a culture of peace, justice and sustainable development.
I am already 1 month in Palermo. Following this period, me, Satra and Seila (2 others Cambodia Volunteers) started to work in the Immigrant Children’s Center. It is very good news that we start to get new experiences. In the beginning, we have to learn the Italian language because we need to communicate with the people in the center and also the children because they don’t speak English.
I know through my own experience how difficult it is to do something without speaking so we use body language frequently. But we need to be aware that if we do not try to learn Italian language and try to build good relations, we will not be heard and won’t get anything that we expected in Cambodia.
Finally, I would like to inform all of you that I will post the news of 3 volunteers in Palermo every month, so that we can share experiences. May we use this time to share our various experiences, so that this exchange will return the value result!
Best regards and big hug from Palermo
Neang Sovatha
By: bbjshare on April 9, 2010
at 6:29 am
Hey, Mr Thanith!
We are sorry for this late reply. Now we are in Cambodia with the European volunteers who are doing European Voluntary Service (EVS). My name is Seila and I will bring your problem to talk among EVS group during boat trip. Can you please send me mail information about your program to support orphanages/schools in Cambodia. I would like to be a volunteer to help this kind of work too.
Here is my email :seila.thai@yahoo.com
All the best,
seila
By: bbjshare on September 30, 2010
at 8:32 am