Cambodian Children's Painting Project (CCPP)

I have volunteered several times in the past 2 years at CCPP and every time when I can return, it feels like coming back home.

I really like the general atmosphere, the enthusiasm and hard work both by the staff and the volunteers. The kids are full of joy, so eager to learn and try new things, games, activities, and they are always so grateful and excited when some old volunteer comes back again. The daily schedules are set up with a rotation of tasks and activities, so you may teach English in the morning, then help to serve lunch, and in the afternoon you may find yourself doing art lesson, cutting or repainting boards, or being on the truck on your way to a field trip with the kids – guaranteed that you get involved in everything and not get bored.

I have seen amazing improvements and new initatives in the past years – the project moved to a new campus, many new local employees have been hired, there is a nursery, regular English classes, computer rooms, morning yoga, dance lesson, talent shows – every volunteer can bring in something new and make a significant contribution to the improvement of the project and the kids’ life.

It is always very hard to leave this place at the end of my stay, but for me (and for many other volunteers) it is not a „good-bye”, but „see you later”.

I had a great time volunteering at CCPP, I had originally come to Sihanoukville as a tourist and seen the project and realised it was something I wanted to be a part of so came back after further travelling and spent a month there. The project is great as gives the kids a safe environment in which to earn money, when you see the extreme poverty there you realise how important this is. The kids get basic first aid from the volunteers, lunch everyday and have a fun environment in which they can paint, learn, play and gain important social skills in a safe environment.

I feel that the project could utilise the kid's art skills in other ways and make a more sellable product. Currently the paintings are done on boards and canvases which, as a traveller, are cumbersome and heavy to carry around, and hard to post home in Sihanoukville due to the some what lazy staff at the post office!

If the kids could paint on clothes, bags etc then I think more travellers would make purchases (my main purchases as a backpacker were clothes, as were many of my friends) and of course, would basically become advertising boards for the project as they travelled around the world! Giving great exposure to the project! The kids all seemed very content, and loving and I feel very happy and lucky to have been a part of the project and wish them the very best for the future.

Normal days consisted of an 8am start, with 30mins of yoga with the children, then the painting started. When I was there, volunteers had to have had prepared a powerpoint presentation of an artist or 'concept' we wanted to have the children do. Then came the handing out of paper, pencils, eraser, etc. Once the children had drawn their 'mock' run we would give them boards with their ID numbers on so that they could paint on it and we would later put it on exhibition at the gallery. Once that was done, some of the volunteers would play activities with the children and others would be in the kitchen helping the lovely cook dish out the rice and food. Once lunch was served and the centre cleaned, volunteers would walk back to the gallery for our lunch break. Wanting to make the most of the amazing weather I was lucky enough to have had, I spent all my lunch breaks at the beach. After two hours, it was back to work for the afternoon shift until 5.
Working at CCPP is pretty basic, its the wonderful Khmer staff, children and the volunteers which make it an amazing experience.

Having worked at a number of different NGOs in Asia, I am excited to wholeheartedly endorse CCPP. The direct impact you have on children's lives, the friendly and helpful staff, and their efforts to ensure these kids are allowed to be children. The program goes so much further than just the painting or the computer or english classes, it is reaching out to kids homes and families. Everything that goes in goes back out. Its run great, was a wonderful experience, certainly for me, and hopefully for the kids as well, and I would certainly recommend it for prospective volunteers. The highlight of my 7 months in Asia!

I volunteered at CCPP for two months and then travelled around SE Asia for three months. My time at CCPP was definitely the best part of my experience in Asia. The staff are kind, supportive, funny and very hardworking. I was worried about being overwhelmed by all the kids and the kind of poverty and hardship they have to endure, and it was a bit of a shock initially, but once you start spending time with the kids, you realise the project is a real lifeline to so many young people and their families. You really make a difference to these kids and the feeling of being part of this special place makes it the most positive experience you could have volunteering, in my opinion.
Sihanoukville is changing fast. It is a beautiful place with amazing beaches, great people and a lot of problems. CCPP is so important, as the support it gives vulnerable young people can really transform their future.