Letter seven: 'Reflection'

Dear Friends,

NO AMOUNT OF REFLECTING CAN REALLY PORTRAY THE POSITIVE EXPERIENCE OF BEING PART OF TAB, TEACHERS ACROSS BORDERS PROGRAM. . The first program in 2008 was wonderful but to return to Battambang in January 2009 and to reconnect with people who were in that program was very special. Building on the first year’s workshop and working with so many enthusiastic and multi-talented workshop presenters was great fun and very exhilarating.

At the risk of sounding clichéd and corny, it is amazing, and a real privilege, to work with Cambodian educators who struggle daily to make ends meet in their own families, who confront a multitude of issues and live in a society which has only recently experienced peace. There was internal fighting in some provinces in the mid nineties and some border issues still persist. Despite all these concerns, educators are hopeful about “what can be’ in Cambodian schools.

In this struggling country education is poorly resourced and at this stage it appears that a range of external organizations are pivotal in supporting the education system as they provide some limited resourcing and professional development programs which are consistent with The Kingdom of Cambodia’s Education Strategy Plan.

THE WORK OF TAB IS CRUCIAL IN SUPPORTING CAMBODIAN EDUCATORS as they develop their education system to reflect the strengths of Cambodian culture and incorporate those elements of Western education which they deem appropriate for Cambodia and which will to take them into the twenty first century.

TAB’s long term commitment to Cambodia is exciting as the organization strengthens friendships and works with Cambodian educators. We look forward to extending this work and supporting these wonderful educators as they continue to address the challenges.

Your support is central to continuing this work.

Sue Slater