Monday 23 April 2012

Jimmy's Village School, Siem Reap, Cambodia

There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life
Mary Rose McGeady

© Copyright Millie Brown 2012
The happy and industrious scene from the street with Jimmy at the whiteboard

Jimmy from Jimmy's school in Siem Reap, Cambodia is doing just this...making a huge difference to hundreds of Cambodian children's lives and doing it every day of the week.

One evening as I was walking the streets in Siem Reap I couldn't help but hear and notice a very happy sounding group of children sitting at school desks in the front yard of a house. Very hard to miss!

I love to poke my nose in when I am traveling (no point leaving home otherwise)! and it looked like everyone was having a great time, so I stopped to find out what all the FUN was about.

I'm happy I did.....Jimmy, bounced up and introduced himself and his school 'Jimmy's Village School' and I learnt that this particular group of children were one of three groups that come every evening of the week and Saturday mornings to learn English (as well as other subjects that Jimmy feels are important for the children).

© Copyright Millie Brown 2012
Jimmy serving lunch for a Saturday afternoon party at the school.

Jimmy is Cambodian and himself from Siem Reap. He founded and runs the school single handedly (with some help from volunteers when possible), and as I watched him that night with the children in each of his three classes I quickly realised that  Jimmy was certainly not your ordinary kind of guy.  

While we never had much time to chat about the work that he is doing, he is visibly passionate about his teaching and has plans for future expansion of the school.  I can certainly testify to how much these children adore and respect him, you don't have to spend too much time at the school to get an appreciation of their special relationship.

© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

I returned a handful of times to the school to help with a few of the lessons  and to interact with these beautiful children.  My favourite class to watch was the 7 steps of hand washing as recommended  by the World Health Organisation.  When Jimmy asked me to take this session I embarassingly had to admit to not knowing them.  The kids however certainly did and they made the whole ritual of hand washing a lot more fun than it has ever been before! 

If you are in Siem Reap please stop by Jimmy's school and help out where and when you can. You'll love seeing Jimmy in action with the children and if you are lucky enough you will get to be involved in a lesson or two (its up to you how many).  These kids are clever, funny and loving (you'll never get so many genuine hugs at the one time again)!

Even if you do not have enough time to stop by and help out teaching you can still pop in (from 5pm to 8pm) with stationery, clothing, dental items or a cash donation. All of the above are very much needed and very much appreciated.

To locate the school;  I don't have the exact address but it's very easy to find.  Cross over Sivatha Boulevard from the Old market and head away from the river, it's the first little street on the left, walk maybe 50m and you'll find it on the left. (The Golden Temple Villa is located on this same street if you need a landmark). 

If you would like to get in touch with Jimmy's Village School join them on facebook or you can email Jimmy at; jimmysvillageschool@gmail.com.

Whenever I feel  there is little hope for the world and its problems I think about people like Jimmy, they are the real heros of this troubled but still beautiful world. 

Thank you to all of these incredible people.

Millie xx

7 comments:

  1. Lovely ---and beautifully described Millie x

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  2. Steve S of Pimlico16 July 2012 at 00:34

    Visited jimmys village school myself, your words mirror mine, jimmy is a special person, I hope any body visiting please give a donation, even if it is only a tooth brush , paste or even alittle book , all will be greatfly recieved, it will be a memory you will treasure for ever more.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Steve, thank you so much for helping us.I will try all my best to help my Cambodian next generation. Please go to " Jimmy's Cambodian Dream" and like it. Our dream will come true through all of your helping.
      Thank you will never be enough,
      Jimmy

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    2. Hi Steve, thank you for adding your thoughts and your request, you are so right, every kind thought and gesture goes such a long way to helping these children.
      Cheers Millie :-)

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Hi Millie, it's located at artisan street off Sivutha street, cheers jinna

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jinna, always a good idea to have an address! :-)

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