PolyU has been conducting service-learning in Cambodia since 2011 (before service-learning even became an academic subject!) Since then, thousands of students have visited and participated in a wide range of service projects in the country, in the capital of Phnom Penh, in neighbouring provinces, and as far as Siem Reap. Subjects that will be working in the Cambodia base in AY23/24 are:
- BSE3S03 Living Environment for Low-income Communities
- Project: Build water filtration system for rural communities in Kampong Speu Province
- BME2S04 Reducing the Scientific Divide in Primary and Secondary Students through STEM Projects
- Project: Conduct STEM workshops for elementary school children in Kampong Speu Province
- COMP2S01 Technology Beyond Borders: Service Learning Across Cultural, Ethnic and Community Lines
- Project: Conduct AI workshop for children in under resources primary schools in Phnom Penh
- EIE2S02 Promoting Digital Literacy in Developing Societies
- Project: Conduct STEM workshops for underprivileged communities in Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham Province
- ELC2S02 Serving the Community through Teaching English
- Project: Teach underprivileged children English in a local school in Phnom Penh
- ELC2S03 Persuasive Digital Storytelling: Small Charities Big Impacts
- Project: Co-create contents of “advocacy package” to enhance NGOs’ profile in Phnom Penh
- FSN2S02 Service-Learning in Nutrition and Healthy Diet
- Project: Promote knowledge on nutrition and healthy diets for the primary school students in Phnom Penh
- RS3S04 Serving People with Special Healthcare Needs
- Project: Conduct health assessment and workshop for autism children in Phnom Penh
- SO2S01 Learning through Providing Eye Care and Vision Health to the Community
- Project: Perform eye examinations and make prescription glasses for needy school kids in Phnom Penh
Some photos of previous service projects and enrichment activities for students can be found below. The pictures depict the situation of actual service, cultural activity and more. SLLO can assist in arranging service sessions and cultural enrichment sessions for different projects. While the service sessions vary from project to project, every team can share the same cultural learning experience: (1) Museums visit, to learn about the genocide history of Cambodia; (2) Community visit, to understand the livelihood and difficulties of local people; (3) Cultural workshops about local language and traditions, to learn some basic words and cultural norms; (4) Visit historical restaurant, to experience local dining culture. SLLO can negotiate and arrange the above sessions for teams to fit specific teaching and learning needs.
A standard itinerary of 10/9 days and related budget can be found here, to provide colleagues a better picture on the management of logistics and financial resources. The number of days and itinerary can be adjusted. Flexibility in scheduling and itinerary customization can be accommodated to ensure that the projects align with the ILOs, colleagues’ availability and preferences. SLLO can help to prepare budget and itinerary according to different projects’ needs. Please contact Mr. Sean Leung on (852) 3400-8097 / sean.leung@polyu.edu.hk for more details about the base in Cambodia.
Students learning Khmer in a local institute.
Students trying local Khmer snacks.
APSS students conduct activities for Cambodian kids.
SN students checking blood pressure for local people and providing healthy tips for them.
ELC students conducting interactive English learning class for elementary school kids.
SO students performing eye-check and eye exam for local kids.
Students enjoying local Cambodian cuisine in a traditional restaurant.
Near the China-Vietnam border, Malipo County in the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is rich in culture and agricultural products, but underserved in human services. Many of the young and old belong to the “left-behind” population, and a wide range of direct and indirect service projects targeting schools and communities are possible. SLLO has been partnering with Yunnan University and several NGOs to identify service targets and sites for SL subjects. Subjects that will conducting service in Yunnan in AY2023/24 are:
- AF3S02 Service-Learning: Financial Literacy for Low-income Communities
- Project: Providing a workshop on financial planning for secondary schoolchildren in a local boarding school
- CHC2S01P Appreciating and Applying Chinese Literary Masterpieces in Modern Daily Life
- Project: Providing a workshop on Chinese culture for primary schoolchildren in a local boarding school
- COMP2S01 Technology Beyond Borders: Service Learning across Cultural, Ethnic and Community Lines
- Project: Developing computer games to aid rehabilitation and exercise for an elderly home
- SO2S01 Learning through Providing Eye Care and Vision Health to the Community
- Project: Perform eye examinations and make prescription glasses for needy school kids in Yunnan
SLLO can help arrange service sessions and cultural learning / enrichment activities for different SL projects. While the service sessions vary from project to project, every team can have similar cultural learning / enrichment experience: (1) Museums visit - to learn about the history, culture and traditions of Yunnan; (2) Community visit - to understand the livelihood and needs of the local community; (3) Cultural workshops about local language and traditions - to learn some basic local expressions and cultural norms; (4) Visiting historical restaurants - to experience local cuisines and dining culture. SLLO can negotiate and arrange the above sessions for the SL projects to achieve specific teaching and learning needs.
A standard itinerary of 9 days and related budget can be found here, to provide colleagues a better picture on the management of logistics and financial resources. The number of days and itinerary can be adjusted. Flexibility in scheduling and itinerary customization can be accommodated to ensure that the projects align with the ILOs, colleagues’ availability and preferences. SLLO can help to prepare budget and itinerary according to different projects’ needs. Please contact Ms. Angel Luo on (852) 3400-3471 or via angel.luo@polyu.edu.hk for more details.
A primary school with boarding facilities for left-behind children.
Cultural artifacts from the ethnic minority groups
Cultural artifacts from the ethnic minority groups
The Philippines is a country with a long culture of service of its own. SLLO has been partnering with the University of The Philippines (Diliman) and Ateneo de Manila University to develop SL projects which involve both Philippine university students as well as PolyU students. The following subjects will conduct service proejcts in the Philippines in AY2023/24. Below are the subjects:
- APSS3S13 Enhancing Resilience of Left-Behind Children, Youth and Elderly in Disaster-Prone Areas
- Project: Conduct resilience and personal growth activities for village children in the Province of Bulacan
- COMP2S01 Technology Beyond Borders: Service Learning Across Cultural, Ethnic and Community Lines
- Project: Conduct AI workshop for children staying in illegal settlements area in Manila
- RS2S03 Inter-professional Health Promotion & Rehabilitation
- Project: Conduct health education talks for the elderly with cognitive impairment, assess balance and mobility for the elderly, and organize health assessments for people with physical and/or mental disabilities or compromised health
- SN2S03 Healthy Lifestyle Challenges for Developing Communities
- Project: Interview the elderly in rural villages and tailor-make a proposal for improving their healthy lifestyles
SLLO can help arrange service sessions and cultural learning / enrichment activities for different SL projects. While the service sessions vary from project to project, every team can have similar cultural learning / enrichment experience: (1) Museums visit - to learn about the history, culture and traditions of Yunnan; (2) Community visit - to understand the livelihood and needs of the local community; (3) Cultural workshops about local language and traditions - to learn some basic local expressions and cultural norms; (4) Visiting historical restaurants - to experience local cuisines and dining culture. SLLO can negotiate and arrange the above sessions for the SL projects to achieve specific teaching and learning needs.
A standard itinerary of 10 days and related budget can be found here, to provide colleagues a better picture on the management of logistics and financial resources. The number of days and itinerary can be adjusted. Flexibility in scheduling and itinerary customization can be accommodated to ensure that the projects align with the ILOs, colleagues’ availability and preferences. SLLO can help to prepare budget and itinerary according to different projects’ needs. Please contact Mr. Sean Leung on (852) 3400-8097 or sean.leung@opolyu.edu.hk for more details.
Students riding on a jeepney, the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines, to experience “everyday life” of local people.
Students visiting local households to understand their livelihood, happiness and difficulties.
Students conducting workshop: teaching local kids Baduanjin, a Chinese traditional exercise.
Students conducting workshop: teaching kids Scratch and elementary level programming knowledge.
Students celebrating with their service recipients on winning a competition prize.
Students visits a historical restaurant to enjoy local food and culture after 5-day services.
