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Gecko projects |
Other than the everyday running of Gecko, there are a few extra projects that we have on the go:
:: MICROBUSINESSES
My aunt once upon a time said you can't help the kids unless you help the parents. No truer word had been spoken. When a family is hungry, homeless and desperate... the last thing on their minds is a long term plan for their children's education. There were many contributing factors, but the end result was sponsorship for Micro Business for the families. It has been an amazing and difficult journey but we are over the moon with the results. Contracts have been drawn up with the parents that in return for the Micro Business of their choice, they must allow their children to come to school everyday, have their children home in bed by 9pm and to stop all physical abuse. So far so good... we keep our fingers crossed.
:: COORDINATE EXTERNAL STUDIES
Due to regular requests from generous prospective sponsors we have extended our services to incorporate the coordination of external studies for individuals whether they attend Green Gecko or not. Many sympathetic tourists befriend a worthy Cambodian (child, adult or family) and want to help with their studies. The problem lies in how to send and manage the funds for enrolment and text books and how to monitor the students' attendance and progress once the sponsor has returned to their country. The most effective way is for us to do this on your behalf. We will go to the school personally, collect the fee structure and enrolment form. Let you know how much it is with added expenses of text books and you can forward the money to us. We will monitor the students' progress and attendance and let you know the results at the end of every term. This way you know every dollar you send is being used for what you intended.
:: CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PROTECTION
The sad and awful reality of working with street children is the prevalence of child abuse issues. The Green Gecko Project is working closely with local police and child protection authorities to do what we can to raise awareness and protection. We have had some heartening experiences of late, letting us know that our efforts are rubbing off. Recently we were invited to attend a seminar ''Capacity building for Cambodian National Police, NGOs and the Judiciary in Child Protection Strategies and Victim Interviewing'' generously put on by the UK embassy at the World Vision Building in Phnom Penh. Tania, Rem and Kim San attended and found it to be immensely informative and resourceful. More training related to social work and child protection are scheduled this year.
:: NUTRITION PACKS
As an added incentive/ bonus/compensation for their children not working/begging... the families of the green gecko kids receive a Nutrition Pack every Friday afternoon. Uncooked rice, fresh vegetable, meat, noodles and fruit. This is a collaborative effort between the Green Gecko Project and the Angkor Photography Festival.
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