No malaria in places we stay on the trip

Good news...we've recently had confirmation that there is no malaria in the places we stay on the trip (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Takeo), so you shouldn't need to worry about malaria medication  - obviously, final decision is yours, and its always good to make this kind of informed choice after chatting to your doctor/travel clinic about it. 

The Gecko Trails team

Taking your Vodafone cellphone on the trip

It is easy to take your Vodaphone cellphone overseas. You can use it in Thailand and Cambodia.

If you are on a plan, simply call Vodaphone on 777. Press 2 for "Products and Services", then Press 1 for "Taking your mobile overseas".

If you have a prepay, you have to go into a Vodaphone store, fill in a form, (you will need photo ID and a credit card) pay $10 and you're set.

When you arrive in Thailand or Cambodia you simply select an available network and away you go. Details of how to select a network will vary from phone to phone but for my ‘Nokia’ I go > Menu > Settings > phone settings >network selection, then choose from available networks.

Call costs are roughly
Thailand: Incoming from or international to NZ $3/min, Texts $0.80
Cambodia: Incoming from or international to NZ $6/min, Texts $0.60
Obviously you will not want to be receiving too many calls from friends at home but it is great if you need to be contactable while you are away.

For more information, visit: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/07.a.15_autoroam.jsp?hd=foryou&st=coverage&ss=goingoverseas

VSA Addventure Project Plan

Introduction: This VSA Addventure project is the first one of its kind, where VSA New Zealand, Gecko Trails and the local school community of Kla Krohim High School, Takeo Province, Cambodia will be working in partnership.

Aims:

• To construct a Reading Centre, adjacent to the existing library that can be used by students as a place to read.
• Implementing a basic Dewey Decimal Classification System in the library of existing books and new books that will be donated or purchased.
• Construction of shelving for the books.
• English as a Second Language lessons to be taken by volunteers on a daily basis for students learning English, with other volunteers participating in conversational English with students.

Partners:

• Provincial Office of Education, Takeo, Kla Krohim High School, VSA New Zealand, Gecko Trails

Participants:

• 12 New Zealand Addventure VSA volunteers, 2 Gecko Trails leaders, Sue Knight / Cee Chan – VSA.

Specific Activities:

Construction of Reading Centre:

Background - Kla Krohim High School has a small newly built library with a limited number of books. The School Directors approached Gecko Trails concerning the construction of a Reading Centre so that more students could avail themselves of books and have a place within the school to read.

• Concept Plan drawn up by Mach Im in consultation with School Director, Kla Krohim High School.
  
• Construction materials to be purchased prior to the beginning of the construction and will be on site on commencement date. Tools required will be assembled.


• Volunteers will be briefed about the construction once they arrive in Cambodia and those keen to participate in this activity can indicate their interest.


• Members of the school community will also help build the Reading Centre.


• Shelving for the existing library will be constructed as well.


• Mats will be purchased for the Reading Centre.


• Mach Im and Scott Burnett will coordinate the construction.

Implementation of a Dewey Library System:

It is most important that the library system implemented can be used with ease, that staff and students understand how the system works and that it is cost effective and sustainable for the future. Library books will be coded on a basic manual Dewey System. The school does not have computers. The following activities will be carried out:

• All existing and new books to be coded according to the Dewey System. Purchase of materials for this will be undertaken in Phnom Penh. Some materials may be taken from New Zealand. It is hoped that some firms in New Zealand are willing to donate materials. A list of necessary supplies will be drawn up.


• New books for the library will be purchased/donated. It is more cost effective to buy books in Cambodia in the local market or from established publishers. Gecko Trails is already in communication with Room to Read and The Asia Foundation, international organisations that donate library books.
  
• The library will be a Bi-Lingual Library stocking both Khmer and English books.


• Further shelving will need to be constructed and shelf index blocks painted and letters applied.


• Siphen Meas, English teacher and VSA employee, the Kla Krohim School Director and the teacher in charge of the library will advise and be consulted on all aspects of the implementation.


• A suggested list of the type of books/magazines that could be taken by participants is attached (refer appendix 2).

English as a Second Language – Teaching and Conversation:

There are currently over 600 students attending Kla Krohim High School and all students learn some English. On previous visits to the school when Gecko Trails has taken clients there for conversational English, the students have responded with great enthusiasm because they get few opportunities to practice their English with a native speaker. English is the most widely used second language in Cambodia. Teaching students and engaging in conversational English with them will be an important contribution that volunteers can make.

• Three volunteers have either trained or have experience in ESOL teaching and all volunteers will have the opportunity to be part of this activity. Five mornings will be spent in teaching and conversational English.


• Any resources that volunteers are able to bring for their teaching would be useful.


• Those teaching English at the school will appreciate being able to further their own professional development.

APPENDIX 1

Books for the Kla Krohim High School Library – English Language

Listed below are suggested subjects to consider when purchasing/donating books for the
library:

General Knowledge
Transportation
Festivals
Pollution
Language – eg. Dictionaries
Earth Science
Astronomy
Science
Plants
Animals
Fish
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Human Body
Health
Inventions
Aircraft / Space Travel
Drawing
Sports
Buildings
Ancient History
Disasters
Explorers
Geography – countries

Note: Pictorial books are the best with not extensive text.

Other suggestions:
Magazines – eg. National Geographic (2000 onwards)
World Atlases
Games – draughts, chess

Donation of Books
There will be a total of 14 people, including leaders taking part in this Addventure.
If each person could bring 5 books we would have 70 books for the library for a start.

Introducing the group

Click on the montage below to view in larger format...