Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Journal No. 9
I went back to the Teen Coalition this past Wednesday for another visit. One of the things that struck me was how much attention the leaders of the Teen Coalition give to the Cambodian culture. During one of the group activities, the kids were asked to introduce themselves using basic Khmer phrases. They were also asked to name their favorite Khmer meal. Many of the kids that I've talked to at the Teen Coalition have told me that they are of Cambodian descent and that they appreciate the program taking an interest in their heritage. Even the kids who aren't Cambodian really seem to enjoy talking about different aspects of Khmer culture. It allows the kids to learn more about their own culture and the culture of those in their community. After a few activities, one of the leaders started to write down a list of Khmer foods that the kids were going to be cooking a few weeks later. The kids were so excited that they were going to be able to learn how to cook traditional Khmer dishes. In a city with a high population of people of Cambodian descent, this sort of activity can help the kids form a sense of pride in their community. Some of the kids who take part in this cooking activity may be able to use the experience in order to connect with family members and friends who know how to cook these dishes. The Teen Coalition continues to impress me each time I visit. I don't know if I've ever seen one of the kids with a frown on their face, which I can't say surprises me. The leaders at the Teen Coalition are trying to give the kids a sense of pride in their community while also teaching them to make the right decisions in life. I have no doubt that each one of the kids who goes to the Teen Coalition on a regular basis will be successful in life and be a source of pride for their community.
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Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI pretty much noticed the same thing since I was also present at the teen center that day. Every time I am there, I am also impressed by the positive attitude of these teens, which is hard to find in high school students these days. Yes, it was worth noting that the non Cambodian students were also taking interest in the Khmer culture. Reading the chapter on 'Adapting Curriculum for Multicultural Classrooms', I have learned the importance of teaching different cultures to students.
Also, that evening I followed the teens to the town hall meeting where they had prepared a presentation to raise awareness on Underage Drinking and Other Drugs. I could not stay for the entire meeting, but was very impressed by the part of the presentation I saw.