GreenShoots Resources Organization Awarded the US Embassy Access Program
Growing spaces bring life to the standards of content learning!
Announcement: GreenShoots will be running the US Embassy supported Access Progam in Cambodia for the next two years. Read here what it is all about.
On 05 April 2024 it was confirmed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State that GreenShoots Resources Organization will be one of the recipients of the US Embassy English Access Microscholarship Program, also referred to as “Access Program”.
The program is known to provide a foundation of English language skills to talented 13 to 20-year-old youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through a two-year program of after school classes. One key outcome is to help participants develop English language skills that lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Since its inception in 2004, over 205,000 students in more than 80 countries have participated in the Access Program, including more than 1,500 in Cambodia.
Our access program duration will run from 03 June 2024- 29 May 2026, with classes running from 02 September 2024- 28 March 2026. The program will include 360 hours of teaching- which are split as below:
311 hours of “instruction classes” i.e. English language classes these will take place 4 days a week
31 hours of “enhancement activities” i.e. digital literacy classes, horticulture classes in English that will take place once or twice a month.
18 hours of “Intensive activities” i.e. events and themed days where students deliver on specific projects- these will take place twice a year.
GreenShoots Resources Organization (GRO) is the sister organisation of Green Shoots Foundation in Cambodia- it’s sole responsibility is to manage the AgriTech Centre and encourage community development programs from there. The Access program works in partnership with other existing learning activities at the centre and will give us a chance to enrol 20 students from the local community. We will also be hiring English teachers specifically for them that will apply our unique pedagogy of:
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): This approach emphasizes communication and interaction as the primary means of learning. Encourages students to engage in real-life situations, discussions, role-plays, and activities that promote language use.
Task-Based Learning (TBL): Focuses on assigning tasks or projects that require students to use English to accomplish specific goals. This approach encourages practical language application and problem-solving. We will apply them using the grounds of the AgriTech Centre available to us.
Finally, dedicating a space to the Access Garden and nature itself will be at the core of our pedagogy. Learning gardens have captured the imagination of educators and school principals all around the world and we want to use the same approach in Cambodia!
Growing spaces brings life to the standards of content learning. A farm is an ideal place to teach concepts (e.g. plant science, mathematics, literature and story-telling), offering hands-on experience to students of all skill levels, various learning styles, and diverse backgrounds.
We believe the Access Program to be a unique and rewarding opportunity for the community of Bosbov where the AgriTech Centre has been established since 2018- it will add value to our existing work of horticulture and plant knowledge. We have also been provided three laptops by our partner Computer Aid to deliver on digital skills for young people.
If you are interested in volunteering for this program? Then please check out the opportunity here: https://www.idealist.org/en/volunteer-opportunity/4d602f0f8e24446fad9f1d8d4508a806-rewarding-community-based-learning-program-in-rural-cambodia-green-shoots-foundation-samraong
