1
Annual Report 2015/2016
HOPE CENTRE, KAMPOT a project of Kokkos_Resource (Kampot) Limited ***
" Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness" II Corinthians 9:10
2
Contents
1. Overview ......................................................................................3
2. Profile and Attendance: ................................................................6
3. Financials :....................................................................................7
4. Children’s Welfare .......................................................................8
5. Transport .....................................................................................10
6. Education ....................................................................................11
7. Support Costs .............................................................................13
3
Report of Progress @ Hope Centre (HC)
1. Overview
“Education represents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of children, families,
communities and nations around the world—the most reliable route out of poverty and a
critical pathway towards healthier, more productive citizens and stronger
societies” ………UNICEF 2015 “FIXING THE BROKEN PROMISE OF EDUCATION FOR ALL”
In 2015, Hope Centre (HC) remained focus in delivering education as a critical pathway
to reduce poverty and prepare the children for better job opportunities. We continue to
upgrade the afterschool care and education services project at Hope Centre at Prey Thuney
village, Kampot Province. We are pleased to highlight the new development and progress
made in key areas for the year May 2015 to April 2016.
a) Attendance
The number of children coming for the meals and studies has increased from a daily
average of about 35 to 65 pupils. Attendance has improved with 80% of pupils across
the different age groups registering over 70% attendance on a monthly basis. It
strengthens our belief that given the right environment, the children will make the effort
and keep their interest in learning.
b) New location
One factor contributing to the increased attendance is the relocation of the Centre to
another premises not far from the previous one. It has easy access from the main artery
road and is situated about 5-8 Kilometres from two public schools.
c) Local NGO
To abide by the laws and regulations of Cambodia, a local NGO has been set up in July,
2015 with local representations to jointly carry out the operations of Hope Centre
d) Donation and Expenditures
Donations received during the year of USD 55,047 in review is less than the previous
year of USD 64,546 (-12.8%). Besides monetary donations, the centre also received
generous donations in kind like health supplements and milk powder.
Total outflows ( USD52,004) increased 10.6% on the previous year reflecting the
increased in the number of children coming to the centre, and mission related expenses.
e) Challenges in the field :
In our endeavour to upgrade the quality of education in the rural community, we
implemented a more holistic approach towards learning. Besides basic education in
literacy and numeracy, the program goes beyond the classroom to include games, team
projects to impart values, build character and other life skills. Time is also set aside to
allow school work supervision and tuition.
Inevitably, the venture brings new challenges in :
Recruitment - The number of available teachers from within the rural
communities is very small. It will require constant effort to find and train a
4
sufficient pool of 3-5 staff to run the Centre. The problem is mitigated in part by
the introduction of the ACE curriculum delivered through self learning which
will require more facilitation rather than stand up teaching skills of the teachers.
Curriculum suitability
The ACE curriculum is English based and delivered through self learning.
Because of their weak educational background, the children at the Centre required
a much longer learning curve in mastering the basic English to use the system.
Those children presently above 10 years of age will probably not be able stay in
the Centre long enough to reap the full benefit of the system - an issue which we
will address before the end of 2016.
Facilities
The new premises was renovated at fairly short notice in July 2015. We have
drawn up plans to add more classrooms and space for a small library, games and
children interaction.
Parental-Family Support
A problem that recurs within the poor farming community has been cases where
the children are pulled out of school to help in the farms, or parents uprooting the
family to find work elsewhere. The disruption in education affects mainly the
older children of 11- 12 years and of concern, is the fact that about 50% of our
present cohort belongs to this age group.
The situation has made it a matter of urgency to connect with the families and the
community, and to try find social-economic solutions for the families so that their
children will have a chance to continue with a stable and fuller education.
f) Going forward into 2016, our effort and resources will be directed at the following
tasks:
To improve the teaching skills of our present staffs AND employ 3-5 new ones to
meet present and future needs.
Consolidate the implementation of the ACE curriculum – as the implementation
of the curriculum gain traction, we will need to recruit more teachers. The
program itself will need some tweaking to address the issue that some of the
older children may not reaped the full benefits from the system.
Evaluate the feasibility of Early childhood education for the very young
Continuing improvements to the Centre’s infrastructure and learning aids
Connect with the families to support continual education for the their children
*** As the afterschool care and education program at HC gained traction, it was evident
that in parallel, we will have to address some of the family/community needs that impinge on
the program. The newly registered NGO is well placed to continue developing and managing
the operations at HC. In the second half of 2016, Kokkos Resource (Kampot) Ltd as the
“parent” NGO, will obtain resources necessary to initiate families/ community outreach
programs that will lend support and enhance our primary thrust in education. Our other site at
SEED House, presently housing the missionary couple and some staff, will have added use
as a base to launch these community activities.
5
Our Appreciation and Thanks ….
All the foregoing would not have been accomplished in 2015 without the sacrifices, kind
effort and donations of resources. We would like to thank the many donors and volunteers
in committing their resources and time to this cause. Special thanks to our people in the field
- our missionary couple, Lawrence and Yue Shan and the local staff in Smael, Channy and
Nget, for their dedication and constant love for the children at HC.
We are beginning to see the faces of the children lighted up with hope and joy. We pray that
each one of us will persevere and continue the good work that has been started - to provide a
better future for these children in Cambodia.
OUR DEDICATED MISSIONARIES AND STAFF
Front Row from Left : Teaching staff Ms P Channy, Mr S. Smael, Mr. T Nyet
Back Row from Left : Missionaries Lawrence Yong , Cheah Yue Shan
6
0
20
40
60
80
Average Daily Attendance
Male
Female
Av DailyAttend
Attendance - Age Group
Note : 83% of total cohort register Regular Attendance over
2. Profile and Attendance:
The attendance at Hope Centre has grown from 35
pupils to averages of 55 – 65 pupils daily. It is made
up of a higher proportion of female pupils ( 35) to
male pupils ( 26 ).
The break-down in terms of Age
groups shows a higher concentration
in the 10 – 12 years category ( 55%)
with an equal distribution in the 7 -9
years ( 15%) and above 13 years
( 15%).
One indication, that the children find the
after care and educational services useful
and interesting, is the consistent
attendance. We find that at least 83% of
the overall cohort attend the Centre more
than 70% of each month. The most
regular are in the 7 -9 years age groups
followed by the over 13 years group.
7
3. Financials :
Donations received during the year in
review at USD 55,047, is less than the
previous year. (-12.8%). Apart from
monetary donations, the Centre also
received generous donations in kind such
as health supplements and milk powder.
The total outflow is USD 52,004 an increase of
10.6% on the previous year reflecting the
increase in number of children to the Centre
and missionary related expenses.
Centre running expenses, and statutory
expenses are lower this year, and should
remain about the same in the current year.
Infra expenditures, though also lower, will
increase significantly in the current year
because of planned upgrade works.
Mission support is accounted for allowances
paid for the centre leaders, and rentals for
Seed House to house the staffs.
10% 5%
22%
6%
40%
10% 7%
Expenses 2015/2016
Children'sWelfare
Transport
Education
Centre Expenses
Missions Support
$47,021 $52,004
Expenditures (USD)
2014/2015
2015/2016
$64,546 $55,047
Donations (USD)
2014/2015
2015/2016
8
4. Children’s Welfare
Children welfare covers provision of meals (lunch and snacks) and health related
supplements. Although the sum spent is lower
than a year ago, the lower expenditures reflect a
more efficient use of resources than the
previous year. Unlike the previous year, our
local NGO has taken over the preparation of the
lunches and this has led to much savings.
During the year, two social events, Christmas
and Easter Celebrations were held. Parents,
community members like the school principals
and neighbours joined in the festivities and the
opportunity was taken to show case the works
and achievements of the children.
Going forward, expenditures are expected to increase as the number of meals are likely to
increase with the expected increase in children coming to the centre. Donations of health
supplements and milk and similar items may ceased.
2014-2015, 5,900
2015/2016, 5,157
Children's Welfare (USD)
WHAT A
MEAL !!!
9
10
5. Transport
This service is provided to “bus” children to and from
school about 6Km away from the Centre. Cost has risen
due mainly to the wear and tear on the old motor bike
made to pull the larger and heavier carriage bought
during the year. We plan to replace the present bike
with a second hand bike.
2014/15, 822
2015/16, 2,329
Transport Exp (USD)
11
6. Education
Hope Centre (HC) remained focus in
delivering education as a critical pathway
to reduce poverty and prepare the children
for better job opportunities.
One principal goal is to encourage
schooling and we provide educational
support that will renew the passion and
interest in learning amongst the children. It
include basic education and tutoring in
Khmer, Maths and conversational English.
Beside garnering as a new language,
spoken English is also a useful job skill in the growing hospitality industry in the province.
At the Centre, we have adopted ACE, an English- based home learning system that allow
the children to explore and self study. It demands less teaching but good facilitation skills.
As a start, we have used ACE to teach English lessons and can readily used it for Maths
and a choice of other subjects.
To enhance learning of English, we have provided laptops and tablets preloaded with self
learning lessons. The response is positive and more devices will be added in the coming
year. Together with the learning of English and Maths, it will serve the children well in
the future.
Our education program goes beyond the academics. We conduct games, team work and
projects that build character, values and self motivation. The children have fun and hands
on experience in a safe and secure environment.
Hope Centre needs good teachers to
achieve its goals. Currently its 3 local
tutors are insufficient and more is
needed to accommodate the growing
number of attendees. However, it is
difficult to find locals with English
proficiency to join.
Typically, each staff is sent for
training in the usage of ACE. Last
year, Four of them including the
centre leaders went for training
which was held at Chiang Mai,
Thailand.
2014/15, 8,089
2015/16, 11,232
Education (USD)
$1,598 $1,968
$7,666
Education 2015/2016 (USD)
Educationmaterials
Training
Tutors' salaries &related exp
12
……… Learning Experiences
LIVELY
CLASSES
13
7. Support Costs
Support costs essentially cover 4 items:
a) Centre Exp: the running costs of the centre
b) Missions Support: costs relating to the
people we sent across to help manage and
teach at the centre. This will remain
reasonably fixed should the scope of works
increase in the future
c) Infra Exp: improvement costs to the centre,
which is relatively low this year but should
increase substantially in the coming as there
are a lot of upgrade works planned for a
larger attendees, and finally,
d) Stat Costs: statutory costs for both the S'pore company, and local NGO.
As in previous years, none of the directors are paid; and have volunteered their time and
resources pro-bono.
In Conclusion, we are indeed THANKFUL for your good works.
THANK YOU !!!
$3,257
$20,914
$5,230 $3,885
Support costs 2015/2016
(USD)
Centre Exp
Missionssupport
InfraExpenditures
Stat Costs