I now have a pretty good idea of what my average week will look like which is great. Here goes...
Monday:
10am to 3pm Class and Mentoring Preparation (for me!). Lunch at the dormitory with the girls (they come back from university to the dormitory each day for food because the budget is so low that it is more cost effective for them to eat together)
3pm to 9pm Individual Mentoring (this will involve grammar workshops, CV writing, helping with coursework, assisting with applications for work placements and jobs, teaching basic IT skills (some can't use a computer when they first arrive), helping them with personal issues and concerns (they are all living a very long way away from home without family or friends other than those at The Harpswell Foundation), connecting the girls with mentors in the UK, talking to them about my experiences about working in a city law firm, how to work in a team, helping them with preparation for international English qualifications and talking to them about the concept of working to help others)
9pm to 11pm Intermediate English Lessons (2 classes of 1 hour each)
Tuesday:
10am to 3pm Preparation and Lunch
3pm to 9pm Individual Mentoring
9pm to 11pm Intermediate English Lessons (2 classes of 1 hour each)
Wednesday:
10am to 3pm Preparation and Lunch
3pm to 9pm Individual Mentoring
9pm to 10pm Intermediate English Lesson (1 class of 1 hour)
10pm to 11pm Cambodian Daily Discussion (which involves the class of 36 girls reviewing, analysing and discussing issues raised in a minmum of two articles written in The Cambodia Daily newspaper). The aim of these sessions is to develop their critical thinking, team work, analytical skills, develop presentation skills and build confidence with public speaking.
Thursday:
10am to 3pm Preparation and Lunch
3pm to 9pm Individual Mentoring
9pm to 10pm Cambodian Daily Discussion
Friday:
10am to 3pm Preparation and Lunch
3pm to 9pm Individual Mentoring
9pm to 11pm Movie Night!! I will be making the popcorn. My aim is to show a film with some sort of positive female role model and allow time for a short discussion afterwards. Suggestions so far include Erin Brockovich, all the Jane Austins, Matilda, Chocolat, Legally Blonde, Sister Act, The Queen, Coco Before Chanel, The Iron Lady. Not sure about First Wives Club although it is very funny...
Saturday: Day off or time for excursions with the girls.
Sunday: Day off with a Leadership Seminar for all 80 girls (every other Sunday in the TT Dorm). It's in Khmer so I don't need to go to this.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
As and when I have a moment, I plan to squeeeeeze in the following:
Hosting a networking drinks/lunch with local businesses at Raffles
Organising new work placements
Connecting Harpswell with UK Trade and Investment Office in PP (opened 2013)
Connecting Harpswell with The Cambodia Business Forum
Working with The Cambodian Daily to see if we can arrange for the girls to contribute
Suit shopping (or formal wear) is going to be necessary if the girls are going to have a chance of getting decent jobs. They can't wear school uniform!
Looking at move on accommodation opportunities for once they graduate
JUST FOR FUN
In my view this is important. It looks like the girls work solidly for pretty much the entire week from waking to sleeping (lights out is between 11pm and 6am). It is important to be able to unwind and relax if you are going to be working hard long term. Something which I have learnt from experience. Current plans as follows:
Picnics along the river - you can hire mats and buy food from street vendors
Cambodian Living Arts - There are shows every other night of Cambodian dancing, singing and other arts
Cambodia Kick Boxing - Bit scary and I'm not sure if it's a boys only event but it's one of the nation's favourite sports and is on every Saturday night
Coffee or Afternoon Tea - There are a couple of places and Costa has just opened up. the girls won't have any money for these types of things.
Visits to the Countryside to meet the girls families and take them back.
So much to do and so little time. Can't wait to get started. The trip starts in 5 weeks.
If anyone has any ideas or experiences from Phnom Penh which they would like to share or suggest, do get in contact.
