TEENAGERS, A DECISIVE TIME – Sponsored by Banco Santander – PSE BLOG

Adolescence – that strange phase where we pretend to be adults, although we lack the maturity to act as such – is even harder to deal with for many the youth in Cambodia. For this School Continuity Programme, PSE know that these teenagers require special attention and specific activities, which is why the teenagers programme only attends to those who are between the age of 14 and 19.

Growing and exceeding

During Wednesday workshops, boys and girls are separated as the talks address different topics

Every day, around 300 teenagers from different areas in and around Phnom Penh arrive by bus or on foot to join the PSE Teenagers sub programme. Waiting for them are 3 coordinators and 32 European and Khmer monitors; a big sub-programme to support an important generation. In addition, Hung Hean and Vanyuth, two PSE Physical Education teachers, often lend a helping hand.

Taken during one of the outings! This one brought the Teenagers camp to a horse riding school!

The teenagers were very happy! None of them had ever done horse riding before.

Extra help is very useful for monitors, especially on outings. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Teenagers go on cultural outings, including visits to museums and a trip to the city of Oudong, what used to be the Cambodian capital between the 17th and 19th century. Activities also include sports, such as an anticipated day devoted to horse riding; or entertainment, such as going to the cinema.

“You’re more likely to find children who speak English in this age range so it´s easier to exchange thoughts and ideas “ Ana, coordinator

Ana, the coordinator with one of the teenagers during an activity.

The coordinator, Ana, has been coming to the School Continuity Programme for four years, but this is her first time coordinating Teenagers. In her point of view, one of the main advantages of this programme is being able to discuss and exchange ideas about adulthood with teenagers, sometimes even in a common language: “You’re more likely to find children who speak English in this age range.” Fernando, also a coordinator of the programme, explains the importance of speaking about important issues with these teenagers.

¨On Wednesdays we do workshops addressing social responsibility, sexuality and drug education, and work orientation¨ Fernando, coordinator

Fer has been coordinating different programmes for many years but it´s his first time in Teenagers. He is appreciated by many students and children at PSE, always willing to listen and help whenever he can.

On Mondays, teenagers do activities in different sized groups, as well as meditation every morning and Olympics on Fridays. Wednesday however is a special day for them. “It is workshops day and we deal with three main areas: social responsibility, sexuality and drug education, and work orientation,” Fernando explains.

Thinking about the future

The teenagers and European monitors become quite close during the programme and learn from each other´s experiences in life.

Teenagers is an essential project in the PSE School Continuity Programme. It is important for the NGO to introduce the notion of academia and health to as many teenagers as possible, turning them away from defeatism and the vicious circle surrounding drug addiction or gambling; a reality for much of Cambodia´s youth who can´t imagine a different future. In order to prevent this trend from continuing with the new generation, it is vital to open new windows, allowing them to believe in themselves.

“When we went to visit the different PSE vocational schools (mechanics, communication, business, etc.), the teenagers were very involved,” says Ana.

Tight bonds are formed in the Teenagers camp

During this taster of the professional world, teenagers also have the opportunity to try out the tools used in each profession. “Their response has been impressive,” Ana remarks.

“Many have shown interest in one of the occupations and PSE makes sure to inform them of the different training possibilities at the beginning of the course” Ana

Rough diamonds

Diego with a big group during an activity.

Kids who come to Teenagers are, in short, rough diamonds that seek trust and the right guidance to thrive the way they deserve to thrive. Fer, also coordinator of this programme, took notice of this thanks to one of the teenagers in the programme, Chantá.

“It is a pride to help these kids to gain confidence and believe in themselves”, Fer

Luckily, he has been able to follow her progress during four consecutive summers in the subprograms of Phum Rumsey and Central. Now he is back with her in Teenagers. “Chantá has always been shy but this year she feel much more comfortable and has left her comfort zone”, explains Fer. “It is a pride to help these kids to gain confidence and believe in themselves”, he concludes.