About Learn to Shine
Learn to Shine is a Cambodian charity working with children and families in Sihanoukville. We operate two community centres, supporting over 250 children and their families.
Who We Are
Learn to Shine is a Cambodian charity working with vulnerable children and families in Sihanoukville. We were formed by the coming together of two long running community organisations, combining their experience and reach, to support even more people across the city. Today, we run two centres, one in downtown Sihanoukville and one in Otres, supporting more than 250 children and their families.
Why We Are Here
Many of the children who come to Learn To Shine have had a difficult start in life. Poverty, frequent moves and unstable home circumstances can mean that children miss school, fall behind, or never get properly started in education.
We provide a constant, safe space, where children can learn and build confidence.
For children that are not yet in state education, we help their families to get them registered and started at school. Once they are attending, classes at our centres make up additional education and support alongside their formal schooling.
We also work with parents and caregivers, particularly when financial difficulties arise and threaten to affect the child's education, and work to find solutions to these.
Our Centres
Our centres are busy, informal places where children can come to learn and play, in a safe and encouraging environment.
We teach mainly English, with Khmer and Maths alongside creative activities. Our younger classes include plenty of play, while older students concentrate increasingly on catching up with state school work and passing their Grade 6 examinations.
But school work isn't everything. Children also have access to our social worker and families can receive practical support when they need it.
Working With Families
Our social worker visits families and gets to know their circumstances. Support can include helping families register their children for state school, providing uniforms and supplies where needed, arranging food support, basic home fixes, and advice and help to access other available local services.
We also run individual and small group counselling sessions for children who are struggling and work with parents when problems at home are affecting a child's welfare and education. We try to look at what a family actually needs, rather than assuming every family needs the same thing.
What We Are Trying To Achieve
Ultimately, we want children to be in education and have a genuine chance at staying there. We want them to arrive at our centres ready to learn and feel safe and supported while there. We want them to grow in confidence and to keep moving forward. We know we can't fix every problem. But, if we can help a child get into school, catch up with their classmates, pass their exams, have enough nutrition to grow healthily, then we know we have done something worthwhile.
Learn To Shine (LTS)
Cambodian Registered Charity No. 12671
Village 6, District 1, Sihanouk Town, Sihanouk Province
Contact:
LearnToShineCambodia@gmail.com
+855 (0)964 834 178