We are currently in the middle of our fifth Creative Writing Workshops. This time, the students are learning journalism skills from Adam Tanner, an American journalist who originally visited Cambodia back in 1989 – in a time where entry to Angkor Wat cost $120!
With a focus on distinguishing between fiction and non fiction, objective and subjective opinions, the students in our Young Adult Program have been discussing feature news, breaking news and their ‘neighborhood news’, which has ranged from their neighbors getting into fights over a stolen spoon, to knowing when someone has passed away. After the discussions, with the help of their teachers Sreylin and Adam, they have been writing short paragraphs in a journalistic way. The students were also given homework, where they were required to interview their relatives and neighbours on how their lives have changed since the Khmer Rouge were in power until now, which fit in well with the movie they are currently watching – The Killing Fields.
This week the students have been discussing poverty, first by defining poverty, then by classifying their opinion of the difference between rich and poor. A guest speaker, Alissa Karon, the Country Coordinator at Population Development International (PDI), visited Anjali on Tuesday and was asked questions in English by our budding journalists. They wanted to know how PDI fight poverty, what areas they focus on, what skills they provide to the poor people of Cambodia, and what their goals are. During the rest of the week they will write what they feel the most important points of the interview were, and integrate it into their own articles. These articles will be published in our next Creative Writing Book, so stay tuned for news when it is released!
A big thank you goes out to Sue Guiney, for once again, coordinating and overseeing the workshops all the way from the U.K, Adam for spending two weeks with us, and of course, our wonderful Young Adult Program Coordinator, Sreylin, who always fulfils her role with the utmost passion, commitment and integrity! AKUN CHURAN!
Anjali House - Young Adult Program 
Loved reading this. As always we are proud of Sreylin. Am I correct in that she now has Kyle’s job? Thanks for keeping us up to date, Sally. Really looking forward to reading the students’ articles. xxx
Fantastic. I’m trying not to be jealous — I so wish I was there. Can’t wait to see the kids’ work and the next edition of the magazine. Love to everyone.