Sundays are the only days we have off at Wat Opot but that don’t mean nothing happens, and in fact sometimes we are busier on Sundays than on other days. Take today for instance. We started off with our usual trip to the market for those kids who have saved their allowance. Most of them buy used clothes and some buy a watch or small toy, plus refreshments. It is the only time they get to leave the community and because we only have one small Toyota pick-up, only ten can go per week and so they are lucky to go once a month.

We also have Art class on Sundays and right now the students are getting ready for a major exhibit in Phnom Penh and in Germany.

These are just some

of the unfinished pictures

they were working

on today.

We also have Yoga classes on Sunday afternoons. We use to have to wait until the instructors came from Phnom Penh but some of our older children have been studying with the Kundalini Yoga program and so they can now lead the class by themselves.

And every other week we also get a visit from Mary Dunbar and her family. Every time she comes she has a new craft idea; this week she asked the kids to look into a mirror and draw themselves.

Like all families, life gets busy as the children get older and we are no acceptation. For that reason I am glad that we still have our Sundays to do things together.

Wayne Dale Matthysse

Here is a new story on the Partners website that you may enjoy The Things I Could Tell You

This year we had 7 students graduate from the 6th grade plus some prodigal sons, who had left us last year to experience “Freedom”, have returned to us and want to start school again. That means 22 young adults will be making their home with us next year. One will be leaving us to start University, making a total of four who will be in college in Phnom Penh. We called them all together today to discuss the effect they will be having on the future of the Wat Opot Community.

A Living Agreement was drawn up and explained to them by Mr. Channa Nov, our new Program director.

WAT OPOT CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY
LIVING AGREEMENT FOR YOUNG ADULTS

The Wat Opot Children’s Community (WOCC) is committed to helping, all children placed in its care and under16 years of age, with the completion of the Sixth grade, and under certain circumstances qualified youth will be given the opportunity for staying on after the age of 16 and continuing with their education, either in secondary school or in a trade school. The conditions for living at WOCC after completion of the Sixth grade or after reaching their 16th birthday are:

1. Must have good grades and good attendance record in school.
2. Must be respectful of staff and a good role model for the younger children.
3. Must have a good relationship within the community outside of Wat Opot.
4. Must obey all rules of the WOCC.
5. Must be willing to work at keeping the WOCC a safe and pleasant environment for children placed in its care.
6. Drinking alcohol, smoking, use of drugs, sexual misconduct, gambling, stealing, or violent behavior are all unacceptable behavior.

Any young adult who has finished the Sixth grade and/or has reached their 16th birthday must agree to these conditions and should they fail to abide by these conditions their residence at the WOCC will be subject to termination.

Signature of Resident: __________________________ Date: ___________

Signature of WOCC Staff _______________________ Date: ___________

For those that can not abide by the agreement there is not much to look forward to. Cambodia is in the process of changing and those who have no education will have few opportunities for good employment as some of our boys have found out. Children who have extended families can still work in the family rice fields… but as new farm equipment comes in, even those jobs will no longer be needed. The Wat Opot Children’s Community is committed to helping these young people, who spent their childhood in our care, to finding a better life through education. Your support and financial assistance is greatly needed and appreciated.

Wayne Dale Matthysse