BABSEA and Partner Meakea Open New Education Center in Takeo

 

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On Wednesday July 8th, BABSEA and partner Meakea Apiwadh celebrated the opening of an expanded Meakea Education Center at the site of the Prey Ah Primary School in the Khvav Commune of Takeo Province.  The ceremony was attended by over 500 children and their families, the Prey Ah Primary School Principal, the Khvav Commune Chief, the District Education Officer, representatives from BABSEA and Meakea founder & Chairperson Sil Sineng.  Highlights included traditional Khmer dancing performances by the student dance troupe, the presentation of certificates to the youth team who recently completed courses in “Basic English Teaching Methodology” and “First Aid”, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.


Over the course of 2008, the needs of the targeted communities outgrew the size of the existing education center which consists of one large classroom and an adjacent room used as a library. The popularity and high demand for English classes, which has risen from 319 students in 2008 to 460 students in 2009, quickly demonstrated that one room was inadequate to accommodate the current eleven classes and all of the additional students wanting to attend. As a temporary solution to the space issue, the staff at the center approached a neighbor and requested to use the space underneath their house as an extra classroom. The family was happy to accommodate the request, but it quickly became apparent that this space was still not adequate to meet the demand for supplemental educational services in the community.  The new center at Prey Ah boasts five large rooms and will eventually house three classrooms, an office/library and staff accommodation.  

Meakea Center Opening July 8 2009_dancer.JPGThis Child Protection & Education program is focused on four key principles: Education, Culture, Health and Organization (ECHO).  The cornerstone English program is complemented by traditional Khmer dance classes, vocational training, sanitation and hygiene classes, physical education classes and a variety of community improvement programs. The center is partially funded by BABSEA and is also currently seeking new donors to support teacher’s salaries and the refurbishment of the new site.