Cambodia Progress from Jo, In-Country Agent.

In terms of challenging teaching and putting their training to good use Alana and Beckett have top marks. The local volunteer teacher they have been assisting has decided they were doing a far better job and has given the full control over classes. He has even drummed up another class for them to teach which he attends as a student. Both thoroughly enjoying it, but finding it challenging working on different teaching skills, especially shyness in class and managing their frustrations when communication gets hard. Thomas also gave them a little bit of training on editing the new website that has been created for Jay's School. They will include photos of the project work, introduce themselves and the students and write a small blog. Their additional task is to smarten the place up, so they have been cleaning up and reporting back on what they think needs doing in terms of fixing floorboards, holes in the roof and managing the library. They will be given a small budget to manage the project themselves.

The SHCC group continue to work the hardest in the group with their 5am wake up. They all love the morning cycle ride, so despite prompting they can change times they all quite enjoy it. Tristan and Mitch have been making great progress on the organic farming. They made a footbridge from wood and bamboo and they will make a second one next week. The teachers in the group Alex, Christie and Morgan continue to follow the Lets Go series. Lexi stayed at the guesthouse this week, but is chomping at the bit to get back there on Monday. The sports programme hasn't been too active this week, but a new local volunteer assistant will start next week to rally all the kids round to play pre-dominantly football (English style) and volleyball.

The girls out at Sangkheum center have started to get to the know children and doing creative activity classes. English classes have not fully started yet as the new school term hasn't started, which makes it difficult to make a schedule for the children. Sally will be assisting in making a film for the center and the good news Progretto Continenti the organisation that runs the center will purchase a video camera to assist in the project. The film will depict daily life at the center and help raise much needed funds.

Last weekend the group went to visit the awesome Angkorian temples which draw so many tourists to Siem Reap. This weekend some of the group have gone to the beach while others contemplate visiting Battamnbang, or venturing out and seeing more temples. Lexi, Hannah, Morgan, Olivia, Jenny, Christie, Sally and Mitch have all gone to Sihanoukville for the weekend, back on Sunday. No accommodation booked yet, but we've given them a number of options. I think they are very much looking forward to relaxing at the beach for a few days especially after their hard work this week. Its a long weekend as tomorrow (Friday) will be a religious holiday when the locals pray to their ancestors.

Jo.