Children outreach (Photo: The Angkor Photography Festival)OpEd by Santhor
Posted online
Cambodian children should no longer be locked in a small well and view the larger world as big as its rim. Instead, they should be given freedom to grow and develop as a proud citizen of Cambodia. As they enter the dynamic world, making choices becomes a way of asserting themselves into the global society. To be able to experience the freedom to choose predisposes these children to view the world as a less threatening place, and their chances of being "Succesful Cambodian People" are increased.
Developing the freedom to choose offers Cambodian children a big step forward in building self-esteem such as: "I'm not bad...", "I can do it...", "I'm just as smart as other kids in the world...", "I'm valuable...", "I'm loved", "I can be a good leader of my wonderful country when I grow up", etc...
Cambodia has never had a leader for itself in almost a century. The main reason for that is because we, the Cambodian people, have never had the freedom to choose any. Since childhood, our Cambodian anscestors were taught not to think, not to reason, not to choose. As a result of that, many Cambodians today have very low self-esteem and poor self-concept. The country will go nowhere if the people don't know where to go.
"Freedom to Choose"" is a power that gives children a sense of having control over their own lives and a sense of responsibility for themselves, for their families, for their communities and for their country. The Killing Field of the communist Khmer Rouge would not take place if Cambodians had control over their own lives.
"Freedom to Choose" builds "Trust" in children's ability to make decisions and to exercise their own will. The Yuon CPP regime would not exist if Cambodians have ability to make decision and exercise our own will for the interests of our own country.
"Freedom to Choose" also gives Cambodian children a sense of "Identity" and "Self-Concept" as someone with alternatives. These children will become more perceptive of possibilities, which probably leads to not feeling helpless in today oppressive ruling or when facing new situations or new experiences. When Cambodian children can choose for themselves the tasks to do, or the skills to acquire and the means to achieve them, they will put more energy and motivation into their efforts, thus increasing their chances of success and the "Positive Cambodian Image".
Cambodian Children Deserve the Right to Possibility.
Developing the freedom to choose offers Cambodian children a big step forward in building self-esteem such as: "I'm not bad...", "I can do it...", "I'm just as smart as other kids in the world...", "I'm valuable...", "I'm loved", "I can be a good leader of my wonderful country when I grow up", etc...
Cambodia has never had a leader for itself in almost a century. The main reason for that is because we, the Cambodian people, have never had the freedom to choose any. Since childhood, our Cambodian anscestors were taught not to think, not to reason, not to choose. As a result of that, many Cambodians today have very low self-esteem and poor self-concept. The country will go nowhere if the people don't know where to go.
"Freedom to Choose"" is a power that gives children a sense of having control over their own lives and a sense of responsibility for themselves, for their families, for their communities and for their country. The Killing Field of the communist Khmer Rouge would not take place if Cambodians had control over their own lives.
"Freedom to Choose" builds "Trust" in children's ability to make decisions and to exercise their own will. The Yuon CPP regime would not exist if Cambodians have ability to make decision and exercise our own will for the interests of our own country.
"Freedom to Choose" also gives Cambodian children a sense of "Identity" and "Self-Concept" as someone with alternatives. These children will become more perceptive of possibilities, which probably leads to not feeling helpless in today oppressive ruling or when facing new situations or new experiences. When Cambodian children can choose for themselves the tasks to do, or the skills to acquire and the means to achieve them, they will put more energy and motivation into their efforts, thus increasing their chances of success and the "Positive Cambodian Image".
Cambodian Children Deserve the Right to Possibility.
