On a 4 day workshop, 17 to19 July 2013, ten (10) Oaktree Volunteers of Australia shared~ their skills in what they perceived needed by BSI and Aflateen students in Suong and Chhoeurng Prey districts.

The topics discussed were very important to the students, topics they can use it wherever they go i.e. the dos and dont’s in using camera, internet and Facebook; the importance of setting goals in life/studies; tips, tools on public speaking;  art of drawing; and concept of sound.

>In public speaking students were made to understand that speaking in front of the class and program activities are part of their student life thus they need to learn the basic skills in speaking like speaking slowly and clearly, appropriate body language  and most importantly they should know what they were talking about. In goal setting, students identified their goals using the SMART techniques. The exercises in goal setting either short or long term goals enabled the student to discuss with fellow students their respective goals and gave them a clear view of what their expectations for themselves in the future.

Students appreciates more the use of  camera, internet and Facebook in communicating and studying though students whose knowledge of these facilities were quite limited cant helped themselves but so amazed/surprised how these resources can help them in their learnings/studies. Those students were quite envious of schools equipped with those facilities/resources (computer and WiFi).

Oaktree volunteers were quite happy on student’s receptivity, creativity and enthusiasm in organizing their thoughts using the camera and internet in presenting their ideas and Wassily Kandinsky, the visual art and drama train or showed the art of drawing and color wheel. These were quite new to the students thus this gave them the opportunity to appreciate and be more creative. In the concept of sound exercise, students were formed into groups to make the sounds they wish and after, listen to all those sounds and compare to the sound of rain forest.

Mr. Channy Bean, the Program Officer, said that the Oaktree volunteers were able to energize the entire class in the discussion and understanding the topics presented. He further said that students were so confident and creative in identifying on reaching their goals and challenged also on how to reach this goals knowing the limited resources they have.