Classes at ARC (AIM Restoration Center)
Last day of classes in Phnom Penh! We went across Phnom Penh in a rickshaw because we had all of our luggage for our trip to Siem Reap, plus the suitcase full of pillow case kits. The ARC is a home and a school for girls that have been rescued out of sex trafficking. The girls we taught at AEC (the employment center) have already graduated from the program and usually live in an apartment with another one of the girls or with family. They receive a paycheck. The girls at ARC are a little younger and are gong through extensive counseling, health care, and have more supervision. They all live there usually 8 to a room with a house mother. Some have been there a few months and some a few years. The youngest is 3, and let me tell you she is full of it. So cute and of course the darling of the entire school. She is sooooo smart and the cutest little thing. She had someone's sunglasses off the desk and handed me the calculator to take pictures of her. I snapped away as she modeled like some thing out of a Vogue magazine. I really wish I would have had a real camera! There are other small children on site, they are kids of some of the girls, and they have a preschool and kindergarten for them. The ARC girls have vocational training in the morning and Math, English, Reading, and Writing in the afternoon.
The center offers Salon-makeup, hair, and nails; Sewing; Soap making; Spinning- Moreno wool; and Culinary Arts. They are looking for someone in the Culinary Arts program if anyone is interested. They have a state of the art kitchen that would make any Las Vegas chef envious. A lot of them are learning to play instruments. They have a drum set, key board and guitars. I think it is extra curricular. They earn points for good behavior, finishing projects and homework, and is traded in for cash. They also receive a stipend for living there. They take classes on how to handle money, save, shop etc. AIM does everything they can to make it a warm, loving, safe place for they so they will stay and flourish.
The class I taught had 8 in it. The classes are kept very small for optimum learning. They seemed to be maybe 14-18? They caught on soooo quickly and were so proud of their pillow cases. Due to the generosity of my friends they were able to make two each. One to keep and one to give away when a new girl comes. The Overlocker (serger) was having issues, so I taught them french seams and the burrito method. The principal was the translator and she is a seamstress herself. She and the teacher sewed too. When I rolled it up and they pinned it I'm sure they thought I was nuts. They were so surprised when they turned it right side out. I left the extra kits with them.
They were so proud of themselves. Then I spent an hour with the teacher and the principal going over sewing techniques, questions, and ideas for projects. They want me to teach a bag next time if anyone has any ideas. I had taught them to use the rotary cutters and rulers, and left them with the teacher. Plus some extra blades. Donated by many of you! It is so hard for them to get supplies like that. They did have mats from a previous trip. They understood very quickly about closing the blades when they set it down. I was very dramatic about it. When not in use, all blades and scissors have to be accounted for as a safety and security measure. You can't imagine the trauma these young girls have been through. They meet with a counselor daily to learn positive behavior and learn a new way of thinking that teaches them self esteem and how to regain their confidence. They practice positive thoughts and actions.
It was the best day ever! I wish I could come every few months and teach. No offense, but I told them I teach adults in the US, and they learned so much quicker than them! That really made them smile. After class several students had something to say and used the translator. #1 I look so young and have beautiful skin! (never get tired of that one) #2 they hope I will come back and teach them more, and #3 Thank you so much. I just love the differences in their little personalities. They are teenagers! I am so thankful to AIM for giving these young women a chance in the world. I don't think I really understood the vision until I got here. Now that AIM has a face, it means so much more.
I took a car to the airport and Kat met me there and we flew off to Siem Reap. The hotel was amazing; it was called the Lotus Blanc. Teak floors in the rooms. The wood work was amazing. We even watched McGuyver and Hawaii 5-0! We hadn't eaten so we ordered room service, Hawaiian pizza, it was delicious. The days here are just amazing and going by way too fast.
The center offers Salon-makeup, hair, and nails; Sewing; Soap making; Spinning- Moreno wool; and Culinary Arts. They are looking for someone in the Culinary Arts program if anyone is interested. They have a state of the art kitchen that would make any Las Vegas chef envious. A lot of them are learning to play instruments. They have a drum set, key board and guitars. I think it is extra curricular. They earn points for good behavior, finishing projects and homework, and is traded in for cash. They also receive a stipend for living there. They take classes on how to handle money, save, shop etc. AIM does everything they can to make it a warm, loving, safe place for they so they will stay and flourish.
The class I taught had 8 in it. The classes are kept very small for optimum learning. They seemed to be maybe 14-18? They caught on soooo quickly and were so proud of their pillow cases. Due to the generosity of my friends they were able to make two each. One to keep and one to give away when a new girl comes. The Overlocker (serger) was having issues, so I taught them french seams and the burrito method. The principal was the translator and she is a seamstress herself. She and the teacher sewed too. When I rolled it up and they pinned it I'm sure they thought I was nuts. They were so surprised when they turned it right side out. I left the extra kits with them.
They were so proud of themselves. Then I spent an hour with the teacher and the principal going over sewing techniques, questions, and ideas for projects. They want me to teach a bag next time if anyone has any ideas. I had taught them to use the rotary cutters and rulers, and left them with the teacher. Plus some extra blades. Donated by many of you! It is so hard for them to get supplies like that. They did have mats from a previous trip. They understood very quickly about closing the blades when they set it down. I was very dramatic about it. When not in use, all blades and scissors have to be accounted for as a safety and security measure. You can't imagine the trauma these young girls have been through. They meet with a counselor daily to learn positive behavior and learn a new way of thinking that teaches them self esteem and how to regain their confidence. They practice positive thoughts and actions.
It was the best day ever! I wish I could come every few months and teach. No offense, but I told them I teach adults in the US, and they learned so much quicker than them! That really made them smile. After class several students had something to say and used the translator. #1 I look so young and have beautiful skin! (never get tired of that one) #2 they hope I will come back and teach them more, and #3 Thank you so much. I just love the differences in their little personalities. They are teenagers! I am so thankful to AIM for giving these young women a chance in the world. I don't think I really understood the vision until I got here. Now that AIM has a face, it means so much more.
I took a car to the airport and Kat met me there and we flew off to Siem Reap. The hotel was amazing; it was called the Lotus Blanc. Teak floors in the rooms. The wood work was amazing. We even watched McGuyver and Hawaii 5-0! We hadn't eaten so we ordered room service, Hawaiian pizza, it was delicious. The days here are just amazing and going by way too fast.
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