Preschool  

 
Rikriey pre-school opened in August 2004 as a joint venture between a local church and the pre-school team of U of N Cambodia, a team of 3 early childhood educators from America, Switzerland and Britain. They are currently working with the teachers of Rikriey pre-school, giving training and support. After 2 years they shall pass on the full running of this pre-school to the local church. They also look to run pre-school training seminars for Christian nationals, and help local churches to set up pre-schools. The vision is to have one preschool in every province of Cambodia by 2007. These schools shall always be owned by the local church, not by U of N Cambodia. The team use the YWAM pre-school curriculum which gives an excellent basis for teaching children the Bible, about the world God has created, and how to have a living, fulfilling, respecting relationship with God, and with each other.

Butterflies adorn the walls of Rikriey pre-school, a sign of freedom, of new life, of beauty. Rikriey, meaning joy and the blooming of flowers is a symbol of the transforming work that is going to happen in this pre-school through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. After their two years there, under the care, love and teaching of the three Khmer teachers, the children shall emerge as beautiful, joyful butterflies. Children who will have the freedom and excellent start in life ready to develop into adults who are whole in every way.

The first five years of our life form the foundation of our whole lives. It is at this young age that our belief systems, our value systems are being formed. Young children readily trust, readily accept truths; whatever is fed into them at this young age stays with them for their entire lives. Feeding the children of this nation with the only true foundation that this world has, that of the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, is the way that they can be free to become the whole, joyful, free, beautiful people that God has created each of us to be. We are loved by Jesus because He chose to love us, not because of what we do; we simply need to accept that truth.

Freedom and true hope for the future generation of Cambodia can start with something as simple as playing with playdough or doing a 6-piece jigsaw puzzle; and the potential is way beyond our wildest dreams.

If you would like any further information about any aspect of this work, please contact the pre-school team: uofncambodia@online.com.kh PO Box 1415, Phnom Penh, Cambodia