At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already travelled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
Introducing: Ngoun Rith
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I am a catch-up teacher. The children call me Teacher Rith
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I’ve worked for Flame for two and a half years.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love being able to teach and spend time with the children.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Often, I spend my spare time reading my Bible.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
When I was 11 years old I was taken away from my parents by the Khmer Rouge and sent to live with other children in the countryside. At the end of the three-year reign of the Khmer Rouge, in 1979, I came back to Phnom Penh to find my family. I looked everywhere for my parents but they were not be found, I was the only survivor from my family.
The Vietnam Army was in power in Phnom Penh in 1979 so I went back out into the provinces to be a teacher. During this time, I tried to get away from the soldiers and get to a refugee camp over the border Thailand. It wasn’t until much later he came back to Phnom Penh to look for work. With my few years of schooling, I was able to get a job at a company teaching others. This led to a teaching career.
I love working with children and I know living is hard. I often share the history of Cambodia with the children, telling them life is not as hard now as under the Khmer Rouge/Pol Pot regime. Teaching is what I know best, I have lots of experience. I love to see the students get interested. With the older ones, they are easy to control but find it harder to learn. With the younger ones, they find it easy to learn but they are hard to control.
I love teaching them, teaching brings me joy. The slum children have a harder attitude than other children and it takes a long time to bring change. Character change is needed for them to see a change in life in their future.
I would like the slum children in the future to have a good attitude for study, to become strong leaders and the model for the community. Every day I pray that God will help the children change. I pray for the wisdom to give the right words to the kids. I love working with kids, for when I work with the poor kids God blesses me.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
I don’t like giving advice broadly. I only give advice when I know the person and the situation. However, I still encourage others to help their peers.