Can Girls Really Do Anything?
“The wealthy elite continue to accumulate vast fortunes at the expense of ordinary people and particularly poor women and girls”
OXFAM Report “Time to Care”
Women and girls have been termed “the hidden engine” of today’s economic system and that is certainly evident in the urban poor communities where Flame is working in Phnom Penh. Women and girls work tirelessly in unpaid work behind the scenes and in work that pays very little. They often receive limited or no benefits and work irregular hours. Oxfam’s recent release https://www.oxfam.org/en/search?keys=time+to+care stated that women and girls “spend billions of hours cooking, cleaning and caring for the elderly” and have little time to get an education. This is exactly the space where the Flame team steps in and makes a difference.
I remember clearly when we began an intervention with one family with five children. They had lost their mother and times were understandably hard. Three of the children were school age, two boys and a girl, with one toddler and one infant. The grandmother of the family told us plainly that we didn’t need to concern ourselves about sending the elder girl to school, because she was in charge of minding the younger siblings. We gently told the grandmother that education was important and that we would find a solution for the childcare gap. This girl is now loving school and can read and write. She will be learning how to use a computer in another couple of years and will have the opportunity to attend university if she so wishes.
This was taken the day we visited the kids home and told them they could start school.
In our Flame Leadership Academy we now have 12 female students attending university. This is what you are doing when you support Flame… giving girls the chance to step rightly into society, armed with a solid education and leadership training that will enable them to fully participate in the global economy. They are equipped with not only a degree, but with the communication and inter-personal skills necessary to stand out in a crowd. It must be said that when these young people who have come from such hard circumstances get an education, they take their families with them out of poverty. This is worth investing in. It begins with little people who just don’t have the opportunity to go to primary school… and doesn’t end with university qualifications. This is just when the launching begins.
Please consider donating to our education programs. We can only do as much as we have finances to cover.
Sokea's Story
Sokea was born in Phnom Penh. He grew up in a slum situated on government land which is divided into small lots and controlled by landlords. They charge squatters to stay on the land. The families build little shacks, often made from scraps pieced together haphazardly.
As a young child, Sokea walked the streets with a huge plastic sack of recycled bottles on his back. His recycling work to support his family left no time for school. At home, his dad was on a small daily wage as a motorbike taxi-driver and his mother was bed-ridden. With no education, his brother was un-employable and his sister worked for a very small sum as a cleaner. When we first met him at 9 years old, he told us he would love to attend school. He had previously been in school but had to drop out to support his family. We visited his parents and asked permission for Sokea to attend public school and our After School Centre. We said we would supplement the family for the loss of Sokea’s income and they agreed. When finances were tight however, his family continued to send him out to collect plastic, but this is often part of the transition from working to education. The family and Sokea understood the importance of regular school attendance but making school a daily priority was hard.
Sokea is in the middle, wearing the hat
Sokea has positive influences in his life too. A couple of women, Ermine and Dani, have come alongside him and have continually encouraged him to keep in education. When he was in Grade 5, Sokea's father passed away. At the time, there were no other people able to work in his family. His mother was still very unwell. We kept supporting him, telling him to look to the future and not just think about today. It’s hard for a kid to deny himself and his family a handful of money today in the hopes of earning a solid income in the future… but this is exactly the dream we are pursuing.
Sokea in the middle, already taller than our staff when he was in grade 7.
Sokea works part time for Flame as a computer studies teacher and assistant football coach
From a young age, Sokea dreamed of becoming a lawyer. In the slum, he has seen too many people end up in jail because they can’t afford legal help. He feels the injustice and hates it. He wants to know the law and stand up for the poor who otherwise would have no legal representation. Two years ago he made it to Grade 12. He failed his first set of final exams and we asked if he wanted to change his subject choice for something easier. He was adamant that he still wanted to be a lawyer and at 22 years of age, enrolled for another year of Grade 12. Then COVID-19 hit. Schools were closed and learning (when possible) went online. The Ministry of Education recognized that the gradating class from 2020 faced unusual obstacles and decreed that all Grade 12 students would be given university admission. We are very pleased to announce that, in the last few weeks, Sokea has registered to do a degree at the National University of Management and has applied to study law!
Last week his mother passed away. Life is never easy for young people growing up in urban poor communities. We are so proud of Sokea as we see him grow and mature. Throughout the time Sokea has been studying, his mother has been constantly unwell and he has always looked after her. One day, he took her to hospital, and our staff went to support him. What they saw moved them deeply. He fed his mother some food he had brought with a spoon, an expression of his kind and gentle nature. Sokea has been helping with Flame football for years now and has always been available to assist the coach. When he sees the kids who are struggling, he steps in and helps. One young football player thought he wasn’t able to continue at school. Sokea persisted with the mentoring relationship through this tough time; he did not give up on him. The child felt heard and seen, and followed Sokea’s advice. Encouraged by his good example, he stayed in school. Sokea has been a positive influence on other kids too. He told us about a 13 year old boy who was still in Grade 2. He didn’t often attend school and was constantly failing. With support from Sokea, this boy stayed in school, despite being so much bigger than the other kids. Somehow he found the emotional reserve to keep going. Sokea used to take him to school on the back of his bicycle and when this boy needed school supplies, Sokea said he was quite sure that Flame could help, but if Flame couldn’t help, he would pay for the child’s materials himself.
This is the result of years of intentional love and care and support. This is what we mean by “The Full Circle”.
Thank you for making this story possible. Without your help Sokea would not have been able to attend school and become an influencer in his community.
Thank you for the commitment you have shown to Sokea and so many others like him.
This is Flame.
Sarah, Flame Volunteer
Growing up in Auckland, New Zealand has given me a very privileged view of life. I am accustomed to the convenience of living in a first world country, with everything that I need available to me when I need it. Volunteering as a teaching assistant for Flame gave me a deep insight into how the majority of the world live and that is something that will remain with me.
I LOVE CAMBODIA
Two words come to mind: utter chaos. I LOVED IT! Cars and motorbikes and tuk-tuks randomly weaving in and out across the road. The heat and noise and smells of the city were overwhelming but somehow I felt so at home in the craziness of it all.
Young student at Boeung Trabek playing with letters and numbers
As a teaching assistant at one of Flame’s four After School Centres, I was busy each morning and afternoon doing classes with small groups from within the 20-25 primary aged kids. We did songs, coloring, letters and numbers. Playing games and doing activities basically using a lot of sign language and pointing to reinforce the English they are learning at school and help them practice listening and speaking in English. It was hard work to be honest, but really fun.
One of the kids who really grabbed my attention was a girl about seven or eight years old. I have never seen such a natural leader. She somehow commanded the attention and respect of the other kids. She was bright and confident, and even though we often couldn’t understand each other, she would try and try to figure out what I meant, and then explain it to the other kids looking on. I have been in a lot of leadership roles in NZ, the Model United Nations, Student Counsel as well as participating in a student led trip to India… so despite being fairly young, I do know leadership when I see it, and this girl had it. The other children and they all looked to her. Amazing.
The other thing that really struck me about the kids at the Flame centres was that it was so clear they they all really wanted to be there. They were keen and wanted to put in the effort.
My time with Flame was awesome. It’s definitely something I would recommend and would like to do again. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be right there in the community, teaching the Flame kids. I loved it.
First hand account of the new growth at Flame
Kids at our Steung Meanchey After School Centre
In January 2020, right as COVID-19 was first emerging, I visited Cambodia for the third time, checking out what Flame was doing and seeing what was happening day to day. Over the last 18 months, Flame had grown well over 100% and I was really interested to see it for myself.
Flame is all about education. For the at risk families we work with, we have seen it’s crucial to also work with the families and provide essential social services and support. In order to bring the help to the families, we have a mobile team of social workers going out into the urban poor communities, in addition to three established After School Centres. We also have a ‘concrete slab and tin roof only’ classroom right in the midst one of the squatting communities, staffed by a lead teacher and two teaching assistants. This ‘stage one’ centre is very basic and the environment is noisy and dirty, but better than plastic chairs in the sun! They teach around 50 children per day, bringing the total number of students in the After School Centre program to over 250. The university program now has 20 students.
The most basic centre in Boeung Trabek
With the amazing growth and the commitment to do the best we can comes a need for the funds to pay for it. We have been very blessed with generous donors who support our endeavors.
To our donors - thank you. It was truly exciting to be here and see results in person. The road is long and full of challenges, especially now with COVID-19 thrown into the mix, but we will get there if we persevere. We would love to do more. Can you help us by donating?
- Meredith, Flame NZ Board Member
“Children of the urban poor in Phnom Penh often struggle to access education. ”
Christmas Messages from Sue Hanna and Nou Vandeth
“Christmas is traditionally a time to look back and reflect on the year that’s been and also to look ahead and focus on the year ahead. No one could have predicted the year that 2020 has been and neither can we predict what 2021 will have for us. At Flame, we are delighted with the work done helping struggling families in 2020. Despite worldwide difficulties we have done great work and have seen inspiring results. The incredible students and their families feel supported and are grateful. 2021 will bring its challenges and we will face them with the same confidence and boldness as we faced the crises in 2020. We are grateful for your partnership with us: you are a difference-maker. “
Bring on 2021… an opportunity to see more inspiring results!
Sue Hanna, Executive Founder of Flame
“2020 has been hard year for Cambodia and all countries across the globe. Many charities have suffered from a drop in funding as the worldwide economy has experienced a massive downturn. We, Team Flame, would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many kind Flame supporters who faithfully and generously continued giving to Flame. 2020 has been very hard time for us but we are absolutely committed to working harder than ever as we walk alongside and support the most vulnerable people in urban poor communities. This is only because of YOU. Your generosity has been the biggest gift of hope to the many poor families during this tough time.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Team Flame.
Nou Vandeth, Flame National Director
Sue and Vandeth at the helm of Flame
Your Impact in Phnom Penh
Real solutions to real problems: a child working to support his family is now in school
Phea and Choryee at home
Meet Phea. At 11 years old, he had never been to school.
We came to know Phea through our After School classes. He is a bright boy; he’s keen to learn - particularly math. When our teacher enquired about his interest in numbers, Phea said he wanted to be able to help his grandmother to calculate her payment at the recycling station. He has a sweet heart. He is gentle and a little shy. After a while, we came to discover that Phea wasn’t attending public school.
It is Flame’s vision to inspire children from poor communities to move from begging or recycling into education, so our case worker was assigned to uncover what where the reasons for Phea’s school nonattendance.
Phea lives with his grandmother in a tiny rundown shack and helps her with the recycling and caring for his 6-year-old sister, Choryee. They didn’t have birth certificates, an essential in the school enrollment process, despite the grandmother’s attempt to have them made. So, our team intervened to process the documentation.
Phea, his first day at school
Next, we pursued school enrollment for the children. There were some complications in permitting the placement of 11-year-old Phea in grade one. This was a worry for Phea. But because Phea is with Flame, and had a team of social workers advocating for him, it was agreed that he could start at school despite being rather old in his class. Phea is bright and capable, and with the “Catch-Up Classes” at Flame in addition to normal school, it was determined that he would be able to reach the academic level of his year group quickly as he progresses.
This is not an end result; it is a beginning. We will update you when Phea graduates from primary school. His journey ahead is long and it's not going to be easy. However, he is so grateful for the opportunity he has been given to get an education.
Phea helping another student sound out a word at the After School Centre
The onset of COVID-19 closed schools the very month that Phea and Choryee started school. How frustrating! Sporadic education in the midst of a pandemic is not an ideal start but the Flame social work team are on the ground, providing the essential support services that Phea and Choryee and kids just like them need.
You can support kids like Phea and Choryee simply by clicking on the donate button below. We need you.
Why do children work?
I have been thinking about working children. According to the International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, whether children work is not a choice for many children and their families. The causes of child labor are usually found in “poverty and underdevelopment, but also unemployment and underemployment, and rapid rural–urban migration”. In addition, children may work because of a lack of parental awareness of the implications for children’s health and development. Parents want what is best for their children, but often a child’s contribution, either in the form of helping with childcare or actually bringing in extra income, is not an optional extra but an essential need.
Culturally, in Cambodia it is completely normal for children to be instrumental in the family economy. The problem is when it means that the children are needed to the extent that they are unable to attend school. Another layer of complication is added when the family is faced by emergencies, such as a global pandemic, death or incapacitation of an adult earner, loss of a job, harvest failures, and severe weather. The families in these circumstances are in dire need of help. This is where Flame steps in.
Families in crises face some difficult choices.
The face of a child who can go to school. His future is so different now.
Flame not only facilitates children’s enrollment into local schools and then reinforces that education, but educates the parents on the importance of their child’s participation in schooling. When we educate a child, we educate the whole child. This cannot be done in isolation from the family unit. We walk alongside the child from the early years right through to tertiary level education. This is when the young person is launched back into the community they came from, equipped with the education and leadership skills to confront the roots of poverty and make a sustainable difference. This is Flame.
S. Punch, in International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2009
Flame identified Jakriya when he was an infant, failing to thrive. His mother’s death sparked the beginning of his journey with Flame. Now all of 4 of his school aged siblings are enrolled in public school and regularly attend the Flame After School Centre. He’s too young for school, but comes daily to the centre anyway!
"That was the best day in my life!"
This month marks one full year since the last St Paul’s trip to Cambodia. St Paul’s Collegiate has been sending groups of Kiwi students to Flame annually for the last four years and the impact of these trips continues to grow. The trips have proved incredibly popular, and here’s why:
Cambodia is known as the Jewel of South East Asia, a reputation hard won and maintained by the combination of sunny weather, great food and easy bargain hunting. See the students below on a shopping outing to one of the huge indoor markets in the capital, Phnom Penh.
Shopping trips - an essential element of visiting Cambodia
Flame welcomes the St Paul’s team at Phnom Penh International Airport and, as the group pulls away in the tourist bus, they begin an unforgettable two week Asian experience. What makes this trip so unique? It’s not just the team-building activities. They actually get to meet and talk to young adults who have come the “Full Circle” - finding a way out of abject poverty and now thriving as bilingual university students. It’s not just a fun holiday - it’s meaningful interactions with those who are traversing self-constructed bridges to escape the poverty trap.
Active participation in After School Centres stretches the St Paul’s students who lead the activities
The last two years of high school are a pivotal time for an adolescent. For those who travel to Phnom Penh, spending time with the older Flame students gives an opportunity to connect with people who have pushed aside huge obstacles to achieve what their communities may have thought impossible - university education. The New Zealand students also spend a week with the younger Flame kids. They are split into groups and work daily alongside Flame staff in After School Centres. They not only see how people live, but come alongside and contribute to a project that is equipping children with an education - the most essential block in building a future.
Sunset Boat Cruise
One of the girls after spending the day in the heat and stench alongside our Mobile Medical said, “This was the best day of my life!”
The impact of the St Paul’s Collegiate trip to Cambodia is seen most powerfully after their adventure is done. They process what they have seen, smelt, experienced and done over the months following the trip, some of them are very quiet, others change their subjects and some have gone on to study courses at university specifically to equip them to live lives that help the poor. The annual fundraiser in 2020 was somewhat inhibited by COVID-19 but was in fact bigger and had more energy than any previous year, bringing in NZ$18,000. That is an indication of how engaged these kids are. The experience with Flame has changed their perspective and opened their eyes not just to poverty, but to the potential they each have to bring about real change. We hope that in 2021 we will be able to host St Paul’s Collegiate once again.
The Top of the Cliff
At Flame, we are working at the 'top of the cliff' preventing kids from sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The best way to do so is by equipping them with a solid primary education. The trends of survivors of human trafficking in Cambodia show that the vast majority of kids who have been trafficked had minimal primary education. Of those rescued, none of them had more than 3 years primary education. In addition to educating the kids themselves, we also hold regular training sessions for the family members of the children we work with, helping remind them of the tactics of human traffickers, and the basics of recognizing and reporting human trafficking.
When our families -who are already among the poorest of the community- are faced with a crises, we have a team of social workers on the ground who are there to support them. Examples of such crises are: when a parent dies, a house is burned down, a family is evicted from their home, parents loose their jobs, a parent goes to jail, when there is a medical emergency, or when the children sense they are not safe at home. These are real examples just from within the last year. This is on top of COVID-19 and the stress that that has been on our world and the families here in Phnom Penh. Reducing risk when there is increased vulnerability protects these children from human trafficking.
At one of our centres, I sat down with one of our staff and we talked together about her past. To be honest, it's not something she often thinks about, but when she was only 7 years old she moved with her mother to Thailand. She lived and worked on a construction site. I asked her as a little girl, what on earth could she do on a construction site... and she responded by saying she could drag things out to the front of the site and sell them. Incredible. Can you imagine the risk? At 12 years of age she was identified by our project here in Phnom Penh, and has been with us now for 10 years. This young woman is the Centre Leader who is now not only teaching the kids in our program but completing her final year of university at night school concurrently. This is what you are achieving in Cambodia. Each child who is educated, is not only given options but is protected from human trafficking and equipped for a life ahead where they are able to contribute meaningfully to society.
This is Flame.
"Miss, our house burned down"
Two weeks ago, one of the kids at our After School Centre at Boeung Tumpun put up his hand and announced that the previous night his house had burned down. Nobody was injured but they lost everything they own. That is tragic and hard no matter who you are.
The fire was set by someone seeking retribution for an unpaid loan and burned 5 houses down.
Let me give you some background. The communities that Flame identifies are groups of people where the kids aren’t in school. Public school is actually free here in Cambodia, so why are there so many children not enrolled? Most of the kids in our centres have needed to help their families by collecting plastic bottles or cans to recycle. Some of them look after younger siblings while the parents work. These families are in a fragile state.
When there is a major life event, like someone falls sick and needs medical attention, a parent dies or when the house is burned down, the risk that these families face is increased. There are no safety nets. They don’t have savings. They don’t have insurance. They are suddenly thrust onto very dangerous ground.
This is where the Flame team on the ground steps in and helps where it’s needed. Our case workers assess what is going on and why, and then take action. In the case of the house being burned down, the family needed everything replaced and our partners the Svay Rieng Football Club made a donation which more than covered all the household items and school related items that we needed. This family were kept safe.
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Sopheap
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I began at Flame as a teacher at BTP and SMC with Flame Cambodia. I taught Khmer literature at BTP and SMC for primary and secondary students.
Now I am working as a Case Co-ordinator. I meet with families and children to assess their needs. I am so happy to be in Flame.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I started over a year and a half ago.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I feel fulfilled that I can support these children who are poor and without Flame would not have access to education or help. I love the home visits, seeing the family in the community. It is very satisfying to help a family through a problem.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Most of my spare time is taken up by my children, one is two and a half and the baby is four months old. I do like to listen to music when I get the chance.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I was born into a Christian family in the Province. My parents were divorced when I was very young, so my two sisters, one brother and I all grew up with our single mother.
Having only one parent resulted in us having very little money, and many struggles. I am thankful to God that even in our trails, and when we had nothing, He provided for my family, and gave us the means to attend a primary school from grade 1 to 3 and then attend a private school called Hope School from grade 4 to 12. My mother worked at the AOG, and so my siblings and I received a scholarship from them to attend this school.
Once I finished high school, I received another scholarship from the AOG to attend university. I studied Khmer Literature at the University of Cambodia in Phnom Phen, and have now graduated.
Since graduating from university, I went back to my hometown and taught Grades 8 and 9 at Hope school for a year. Toward the end of this year, I met a missionary from the Philippines.
Once I left Hope school I went to work with him for two years doing ministry, teaching the Bible and English.
Once I came back from working in ministry, I felt I needed a rest, but also needed a job to support myself. I really struggled to find something over this time and would pray to God for help. I was desperate. I had nothing and was very poor. I am thankful to God however as even though there were times things seemed hopeless, God always provided for me just in time, and he brought different people into my life to help me and to support me. Because of what God has done for me, by supporting me and sending people to help me, I want to do the same for others. I want God to use me to bless other people.
Deciding the best way In could do this would be by paying it forward by teaching children and others who are in need. Flame was introduced to me by my friend, and immediately I knew that was something I needed to be apart of. So I applied and asked God if it was his will, to let me pass the interview.
After the interview, I felt doubtful that I would not pass, but continued to trust God. Thankfully I received the good news I had been successful and was welcomed into the Flame family. I was so excited to be a part of this Christian Organisation which would give me the opportunity to help children.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
“you can’t escape from the problem“
If you have a problem you need to solve it!
SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND THEIR LIFE-CHANGING WORK
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Vong Pitou
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I am a full-time teacher at the Sen Sok centre, call me Pitou
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I have worked for Flame for nearly two years
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love working with the kids.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I’m a very busy person, so when I do get spare time, I usually sleep.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I grew up in an non-Christian family with a single mother and one sister. My mother had to work very hard to support both my sister and I, and also pay for your studies. We didn’t see her very much because she was constantly working long days, and was often very tired. We struggled a lot, as we were poor and had an absent father, and our mother was forced to work very long days.
I became a Christian when I was five years old (in grade 1) after my mother started taking my sister and I to a church on Sundays. My mother did not believe in God herself, but she saw that Christians were good people, and often had amazing transformations happen in their lives. She wanted us to learn from then, and have their influence on our life.
I went to SenSok Primary School from grade 1 to Grade 6. In 2013, when I was in grade 6, I got baptised. After this point onwards I grew to know God more and more. I loved going to youth group at my church, and also would receive free English lessons when I would go. I was able to study Gods word, and even got the opportunity to translate English to Khmer for a team from Singapore. I loved this time in my life. I then moved to SenSok high school to complete Grades 7 to 12.
During my high school years, my family situation was continually hard. My mother was still working very hard to support my sister and I while we studied. Our home was very old, and did not withstand storms very well. The rain and wind would constantly damage the roof and walls, and I would be very scared every time a storm came through.
When I was in Grade 9, I joined an organisation called care for Cambodia. Here, I began teaching the children Khmer Literature and English. I continued this until I finished high school. I also took up Guitar lessons with someone involved with Flame Cambodia. This was my first introduction to Flame. In Grade 12 I again was struggling very much as we had very little money, causing me not to be able to afford extra classes or help to be able to do well. Through God’s grace alone, once of my Sunday teachers saw my need and supported me by purchasing stationary for me and paying for me to attend extra classes. I am very thankful for her, as with that help, I passed high school well.
Unsure of what I wanted to do with my life once I graduated from school, I prayed and asked God to prepare and show me the way that I should go. While I waited to see where He would lead me, I took a part time job at Team Coffee. I only worked there for 15 days before I quit. I had to get up at 4:30, and drive to work and work an 8 hour shift before doing it all again. I had never worked a job like this before, and fell sick very quickly. Hoping God would answer my prayers for my future soon, I continued to pray.
Shortly after this I heard from my friend that Flame needed a teacher. Having already known about Flame in high school, I was excited and applied. I hoped this might be what God wanted me to do, as I had been praying for a good job for me, but also the means to be able to attend university.
I had been thinking more and more about university, and felt that I would like to study English literature. Several people had also suggested that English would be good for me to study, as I already spoke well. When I visited the university, I heard about international relations and felt that was maybe something that I would enjoy more. I completed a test and application to receive a scholarship. Praying to God I said ‘if You want me to study, let me pass, if not, let me fail and I will find another job.’
After a few days, my friend called me and said I had past my tests and had been offered a 100% scholarship! I was so excited and happy. Then, I was told by Flame that I had been accepted for the job. I know that God really looked after me and gave me these opportunities. He blessed me by allowing me to work and study all at one time.
While I was working for Flame, I became more and more busy, and changed my role from a part time teacher to a sport volunteer for six months. A position for a full time teacher was advertised, and after consulting my family, I took the position and began working full time and studying in the evenings. This is my current role, that I have been in since September 2018.
I have been blessed so much by God. During the first six months of university I lived in the Flame student Centre so that I did not have to travel to my family home every day, as it is further from the university. However once I finished half of my first year of study, I decided to move back in with my family.
I work for flame because I believe in their mission and vision to transform slum-living kids to be the leaders of the future. Personally I have a vision to help and disciple others. I want to make disciples for God and share God’s love with other people by helping them come from a bad situation into a good one. Because of my difficult background, my heart wants to help in particular people who have been though similar things. Many children experience lack of love and care, and through Flame I have the ability to not only show them that, but also show them God’s love and care – which is much greater than what I could show them alone. I am able to help them grow in faith and become good people and leaders, so that one day they can help their family, community and country.
As a SenSok teacher, I go to the after-school centre early and prepare my lessons for the day. I start teaching at 9am, and finish by 11am. I then get the children to stand in a line, and I help them to wash their hands, brush their teeth and I will then give them some food for lunch. Once this is done, I spend some time with the children, answering any questions they have, and bonding with them. Then I prepare my afternoon lessons, and we begin again at 1pm. All classes finish at 4pm, but I must stay until 5pm to clean up. From there, I will quickly go home and then go back to university to begin at 5:45pm. University finishes at 9pm and it will take me half an hour to get home. I am studying International Relations, as I would like to one day work as a government official so I can reach more people to help. When I work in the government I would like to be an investor and help my country communicate better with other countries and form relationships. I want to eliminate poverty, and develop Cambodia into a powerful and thriving county.
Understandably, I find sometimes find working full time and studying very hard to do. It is all worth it however, as God helps me, and I love it. Often times the children will encourage me when I am tired or busy. I am so thankful.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
Personally, I find that praying helps me when I am in a situation where I am unsure of what to do. So, I would say to pray about the situation and persevere through it.
Support our staff and their amazing work
Donate now
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already traveled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
INTRODUCING: Sok Suo
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I am a Mobile Classroom Leader, I teach at Bong Trebak and Prek Hol communities.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I have been teaching at Flame for three years.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
No matter what we face, the children are always excited to learn, and so I am happy to be able to teach them.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I read, listen to audiobooks and music. I like spending time with my friends and especially having new experiences.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I was born in a Province outside oh Phnom Penh. I come from a family of six, however, sadly my youngest brother has now passed away.
Growing up my family was extremely poor, making my parents unable to pay for me to go to school. In order to survive, my siblings and I would go looking for vegetables and fish by the river close to our home. We would take everything we could find to the market and bring home our earnings to support our family and to hopefully buy us some time in school.
For about two years I would go to the local church, where I would hear and study English. I loved to do this, as my family had nothing, making this opportunity to learn English something I was very thankful for. I enjoyed the learning, and my friends and I would practice speaking English with each other in our spare time.
Eventually, I graduated Grade 12 and came to Phnom Penh where I continued learning English in a church. I did this for one year. During this time, I heard about Flame Cambodia.
Hearing about this organisation made me realise that I wanted to work in the Flame school and be able to help the children living in the Phnom Penh slums. I felt that I could relate to the children who Flame was helping, as I was the same once. My family had been so poor, and our lives had been very hard.
Knowing how difficult it has been for my parents to find money and survive, it has motivated me to work hard myself, and find a good job that I can support my own family with. My family always supported me in my studies, even though we had no money for it. I can’t describe how much I appreciate them for doing this, it inspires me to work harder still in order to repay them. I can understand the heart of those people who are poor. I can understand their desire to learn and make something of their lives. For this reason, I continue to work hard to succeed and in turn help others like me.
When I first applied to Flame, I applied to be a Mobile Library Leader. In this role, I would read books to the children in the slums. As time has gone on, we progressed to become a Mobile Classroom where we had chairs and more materials. We had about 35 students coming to learn. The purpose of the mobile library is to bring education to the children in the slums who would not have the ability to go to regular school. The children love to come and are hungry to learn. We teach them English, Khmer and math. Along with their academics, we also teach them games and play with them. Our aim is to help these children read, critically think and understand the world around them. We want to give them hope and a perspective of what they can aim for with their lives. Often children born into a slum do not dream or have aims, as their parents have none either- life is seemingly restricted to the slum and lack of money. As a member of Flame, I try my best to tell them about what they can become, and teach them how to have a good life, to be a good teacher and overall person. I want to be able to help and support them the best I can.
By the mobile classroom been outdoors and subject to the weather and outside factors, it can sometimes be very challenging to teach.
After I finish my day working with Flame, I drive Tuk Tuks for some extra money. I give my family this money I earn so I know they have something to help them live better. I would love to go to university one day, however, I am unsure yet if I will ever have enough money. While I work, I am also going to my church and learning there and I teach myself things in my spare time. For now, I am content with this, although one day I hope to afford university.
My father is not a Christian, but the rest of my family is. We all go to church together, so for this, I praise God. I know that God has blessed my life. He supports me and I believe that the Bible teaches me many things and helps me live a good life. I have developed goals for my life, which are to help the children as much as I can. No matter how hard it is, I will do my best to teach and show the children love and hope.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
In the past, I have been asked why I go into the dirty slums to help children. My answer to this is this: when I help, it makes me feel fulfilled. I know what it is like to be them, and if I do not go to help them, who else will?
SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND THEIR LIFE-CHANGING WORK
DONATE NOW
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Ngoun Rith
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I am a catch-up teacher. The children call me Teacher Rith
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I’ve worked for Flame for two and a half years.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love being able to teach and spend time with the children.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Often, I spend my spare time reading my Bible.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
When I was 11 years old I was taken away from my parents by the Khmer Rouge and sent to live with other children in the countryside. At the end of the three-year reign of the Khmer Rouge, in 1979, I came back to Phnom Penh to find my family. I looked everywhere for my parents but they were not be found, I was the only survivor from my family.
The Vietnam Army was in power in Phnom Penh in 1979 so I went back out into the provinces to be a teacher. During this time, I tried to get away from the soldiers and get to a refugee camp over the border Thailand. It wasn’t until much later he came back to Phnom Penh to look for work. With my few years of schooling, I was able to get a job at a company teaching others. This led to a teaching career.
I love working with children and I know living is hard. I often share the history of Cambodia with the children, telling them life is not as hard now as under the Khmer Rouge/Pol Pot regime. Teaching is what I know best, I have lots of experience. I love to see the students get interested. With the older ones, they are easy to control but find it harder to learn. With the younger ones, they find it easy to learn but they are hard to control.
I love teaching them, teaching brings me joy. The slum children have a harder attitude than other children and it takes a long time to bring change. Character change is needed for them to see a change in life in their future.
I would like the slum children in the future to have a good attitude for study, to become strong leaders and the model for the community. Every day I pray that God will help the children change. I pray for the wisdom to give the right words to the kids. I love working with kids, for when I work with the poor kids God blesses me.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
I don’t like giving advice broadly. I only give advice when I know the person and the situation. However, I still encourage others to help their peers.
Please support the work of our amazing staff
by donating today
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Bin Vesna
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I’m called Vesna and I’m a Case Coordinator. I encourage children and try to help their parents so the children can attend school.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I have been working with Flame for 2 years.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
The best thing about my job is being able to give the children the tools they will need to provide for their families in the future. As a child, I was fortunate enough to have my school fees paid and now I can give that gift to other children.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the provinces. I find the mountains, forests and country air very relaxing.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
My family lives in Battambang. We didn’t struggle that much, but that’s because my parents worked very hard. My grandparents had money but my father didn’t want to ask them for help. Between Grade 7-11 my parents were always working in order to provide for us. The other kids could learn English or take extra classes, but I couldn’t as I had to go to the fields after school to help my parents. I really loved English but I never got the chance to study it.
I didn’t pass Grade 12 the first time so I decided to study that year again and passed. I felt hopeless that I couldn’t study English. It was the one thing that I really wanted to study. I came to Phnom Penh to study Accounting in University but when I finished my bachelor degree I needed to go back to my hometown to look after my younger sister who had some serious mental health issues.
My parents were not coping with her difficult behaviour so I became her full-time caregiver. Menea was 11 or 12 years old when I went to look after her. I cared for her for 4 years and in 2014, when she was 16 years old, my sister died. A year after Menea died I decided to come back to Phnom Penh to chase my dream again of studying English.
When I arrived and went to a church where I saw Sue, Flame’s founder. She recognised me and told me about Flame and the opportunity to study. I thought that it would be a great chance for me to study English … and now I am staying in the Flame Leadership Academy and I have been studying English for two years! I can’t believe it. This has been my dream for more than 15 years.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
There is a Cambodian proverb that has helped me: Even though a rock is hard, a constant drip of water can make a hole. To me, it means no problem is too hard to solve, as long as you take it day by day.
Support our amazing staff
and the job they do
by donating today
Meet one of our amazing students, who is also a staff member!
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
INTRODUCING: Chuch Nakhim
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
My name is Chuch Nakhim and I am 20 years old from the Prey Veng Provance. I have 6 siblings, five are older than me, and my two parents are farmers. When I was very young my parents decided to move my family into Phnom Penh as there was no school in the province that I was living. My family was also struggling for money, so it was the best thing we could do in order to survive. We had to live at one of the rubbish dumps, as it was cheaper to live than other places. By living here my siblings and mother could find bits of rubbish which gave us something to sell and make money.
For the first few months of living there we did not go to school. Our time was spent going through rubbish, finding whatever we could sell so we could pay the landlord, buy food and other things we needed to survive. My father and oldest brother worked in construction building houses, while my mother and Grandmother made mats to sell from the rubbish we gathered. After we settled into this life, my family and I were able to go to school and learn. I began going to school at seven years old, as I was very small and looked to be much younger. When I had tried to go earlier, I was sent away as teachers believed I was too young. Because of this I was very old for my grade, and yet far behind many of the students. Regardless of this, I was keen to learn, and worked very hard.
We lived at the rubbish dump for five or six years, till the rubbish dump was moved to the countryside. Moving was forced on every family who had been living there – not just mine. As a result of this, my family had to move to a slum. Once in this new place to live, we could no longer go to school as we did not have the same money source as we used to. For one year I was unable to go to school, and spent my time helping my mother gather fruit from the countryside, and then sell it from her bicycle. This was long, hard and tedious work. We would have to walk for days out to the country, and then carry heavy fruit back into the city to sell. We had to do it however, as it was all we could do for money.
How did you get involved with flame?
The Bong Paoun Project (the previous name of Flame) come into the slum which I was living and approached my family. They asked me if I and my siblings would like to study part-time with their project. Of course, we were all very excited so I began studying again, and the organisation also helped to support my family financially through sponsors.
Soon I became involved with flame, so when I finished Grade twelve, I automatically could continue onto university with the help of Flame if I wanted to.
What are you doing now?
I’m a member of Flame’s Leadership Academy. And I work for Flame part-time as well.
I am now currently studying Management at University because of Flame helping me. My goal is to one day have my own coffee shop and to help my parents run their own business and have the right processes and business plans.
I feel that the life my family had has been a huge motivator to me to work hard. I want to be a role model, for other poor children to look up to and see that they too can do something more with their life than stay in their poverty. I grew up in a bad situation, but I have not let that hold me back, and I hope that will inspire others to work hard.
WHAT are you grateful for?
I am thankful to God and to the Flame staff for loving me and believing in me and pushing me for better things. Without them I could not be here today beginning to make my dreams my reality.
Support our wonderful students
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already traveled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
INTRODUCING: Thai Seagnmey
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
My name is Seangmey, I heard about Flame and applied to be a teacher there for the kids in the After-School Program at Sen Sok and I got the job! Now I get $220 per month and I send $100 to my mother. I stay with my friends family and they accept and love me. They are Christians and they help me a lot.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
Two years
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love painting with the children, its really enjoyable and the kids always ask me to paint with them.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I love to read and do some singing.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I’m the 3rd of 4 children and when I was young it was really difficult. My father is a buyer of plants and vegetables to sell to others. He keeps all the money for himself and never gives any money to my mum. He would often be drunk and he gambled a lot. Often he would gamble with our possessions and even our house. My father borrowed a lot of money from a bank to start a business but he gambled all of that also. He used the house title deeds to borrow the money and then he had no money to pay the instalments so my mother had to try and find extra money to make the payments. After 3 years of very hard times for us the bank loan is finally paid off but we have nothing to show for it.
My mother had to sell clothes in the market to have money for food for us kids and because she didn’t have enough money, she also took some loans from the informal money lenders and that added and extra big financial problem to my family.
My sister tried to help my family by stopping her study at Grade 7 so she could go to work in a factory and she is still there today. She is now 23 years old and her life is set on that path now. I feel so sorry for her. My oldest brother studied until Grade 12 but my Dad never paid anything for our study, he kept it all for himself. When my oldest brother started at University, we had a motorbike but my father sold that in a gambling game so my brother didn’t have any transport to get to University.
My mother’s sister knew of an organisation that could help us by taking myself and my youngest brother to live there. It was called the “Somroung Children’s Farm” and I stayed there and studied from Grade 9 until Grade 12. My brother is in Grade 11 and he is still there. I was a very good student and the manager of the Somroung Children’s Farm chose me to be a teacher of the other kids in the organisation. During my Grade 12 year I tutored other Grade 12 students. I know I am clever but I am also very disciplined and I work hard at my study so I know that I have the ability to study medicine and do well.
On the day that I sat my grade 12 exam my father came to the school to encourage me to do my best in the exam. I asked him where my mother was and he told me that she was dizzy so she stayed at home. After my exam I found out that actually she was in the hospital for a kidney stone operation. My Dad sold our family motorbike to pay for my mother’s operation, but my father hid this information from me so that I wouldn’t worry during my exam. I passed my Grade 12 exam with a B grade
I won a scholarship to study Biology but I gave it up because my family really needs the money and I need to support them. I hoped that I could just take one year off and then try to find a way to study after I had helped my family a bit. I stayed with my Uncle in PP and I got a job teaching English at a private school and my salary was $110 per month and I gave my mother $50 of that each month so she could buy food and goods to sell to make money. I also pay some to help my youngest brother. My workplace was far away from my house and because I thought that my family’s problem was not as bad as before, I tried to find a different job that was closer.
During my year off while I have been working with Flame, I can see that the poor kids need a doctor more than another teacher so I have decided now that I want to study general medicine and I will decide later if I need to specialise. I used to live in the countryside and there are many people who don’t have enough money and it’s very hard for them to have medical care. One day when I was in the countryside I saw a team of doctors who were running clinics for poor people. They were from the church and on a mission and when I saw that I knew that I wanted to be like them.
I really want to help the kids in the province. They have no medical help. My big dream is to be a doctor and to work with the church or organisations to run health clinics for the very poor in the countryside. I need to sit an exam to see if I can pass to get into Medical school. It will be hard because I have had 1 year away from school and studying, but I will study very hard between now and the exam to review all my Grade 12 lessons and I am confident I can pass.
I am so excited to think that Flame might help me to study medicine but I am worried about my mother. For the first year, I will need to focus on my study but after that maybe I can get a part-time job and keep helping her with some of my salary.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
This is my favourite bible verse:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding
SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND THEIR LIFE-CHANGING WORK
DONATE NOW
Meet our amazing staff
At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Som Samkhann
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I’m Samkhann, my brother Sokhann also works for Flame. As the After-school Program Leader at the Sen Sok centre. I oversee the teachers and do any documentation. Part of my job is to visit the kid’s homes if they don’t come to the centre or are ill. I help the teachers come up with strategies and lessons and encourage both the teachers and the students which I find very rewarding. If necessary, I will also teach some of the lessons if a teacher is unable.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I have been working for Flame for 3 years
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love that in this job I have the opportunity to help the children study and learn and break away from the poverty cycle that I was trapped in when I was young.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I was born in the Province and have two brother and two sisters. My family was a farming family, and so were very poor. During my childhood, I would go to school with my brother, Sokhann, and only had 300real (USD 7cents) to share between the two of us. Everyday my brother and I would walk the 7km journey to go to school, and we continued to do throughout secondary school as well.
In our provence there was no church and no Christians, so I did not know about God till long after I had moved to Phnom Penh in 2009 with my mother, Sokann and my sister for high school.
When living in Phnom Penh, my mother began selling vegetables, but did not make enough money to support my education. Because of this, I found a job as a security job, and funded my own way through high school. I continued my job when I transitioned out of school and into university in 2013.
By 2016 I had successfully graduated with a degree in management at University. It was this same year that I first learnt about God as I had also been learning English in the local church who was offering free classes. Due to my involvement with the Christians at the church, I was witness to their love and wanted to know what it was that they had that I didn’t. I began studying the bible, and soon believed in it myself.
I chose to study management at university so that I can find myself a good job that will not only support myself but also my family – as I am the head of the family without my father in Phnom Penh. I would like to start my own business one day perhaps.
Selling cigarettes was my first job out of university. I hated this job as they would push me to smoke cigarettes and encourage me to steal money. I had started the job because it had a high salary, but very quickly I wanted to leave it. Not long after I began that job I heard about Flame and applied to be a part time teacher at SMC. I was accepted.
After working part time for Flame for four months, I became a full-time teacher. In June 2017, I changed from SMC to Sensok and trained for three months to be the Activity Centre Leader.
Through working for Flame, I met my wife. She was working in Mother Care. Now we have begun our own little family and have a one-year old daughter together.
Because of my childhood I can relate to the children we have in our Activity Centres at Flame. I really love the children and community that Flame has. I had a hard childhood, and I do not wish to see these precious children struggle in the same way I once did.