YOUTH PATHWAYS
Empowering tomorrows leaders.
Youth Pathways
Youths enrolled in our Youth Pathways Program
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Students with their high school fees funded by REACH
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Educational excursions or workshops each month
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We believe that empowering teenagers is the key to breaking long-standing cycles of poverty for Cambodian families.
According to Open Development Cambodia, only 20.2% of Cambodian teenagers complete high school each year, and of that, only 14% of the graduates go on to study at University. Sadly, these devastating statistics will only be further exacerbated by the current global pandemic.
Our ‘Youth Pathways’ program seeks to support youths who are facing either of the following challenges:
- Youths who due to poverty have dropped out of their formal education and are without the skills to acquire fair employment.
- Dedicated youths who are enrolled in public school, but due to poverty are unable to afford their high school education costs
Through this program, we provide our youth with various opportunities to develop their soft skills and guide them through these fundamental years prior to securing scholarships and or employment. We believe in providing opportunities to youths who are committed to not only helping themselves, but their community as a whole.
At REACH we require our youths to invest in themselves and commit to their futures. With this, we’ve given our youths an option — the program is not compulsory, but should they wish to be part of the program they need to submit an application.
With so much to cover over the course of 6 years with each youth, we decided that a students’ journey within the Youth Pathways program would encompass the following stages:
LEVEL 1
Grade 7 or aged 15+
12 Month Sunday Program
Youths attend REACH for 4 hours each weekend to learn soft skills centred around leadership, empowerment, how to be a productive member of society, mental health, and much more.
GIVE BACK YEAR
Grade 8
12 Month Sunday Program
Level 1 Graduates attend REACH for 1-2 hours every Sunday to volunteer their time hosting extracurricular activities for the younger kids at REACH (Art, Music, Sport, etc.)
FOCUSED STUDY
Grade 9
12 Months of Supported Study
With the first national exams in Grade 9, youths are no longer required to volunteer, freeing up their time to study and focus on passing their National Grade 9 Exams.
LEVEL 2
Grade 10 or aged 16+
12 Month Sunday Program
The Level 2 course focuses on understanding all further educational opportunities and jobs available, with career guidance and support. Introduction to work experience and visits to partner NGOs, Universities, and Vocational Training Centers.
GIVE BACK YEAR
Grade 11
12 Month Sunday Program
Level 2 Graduates attend REACH for 1-2 hours every Sunday to volunteer their time hosting extracurricular activities for the younger kids at REACH (Art, Music, Sports, etc.)
CAREER GUIDANCE
Grade 12 or aged 18+
Guidance & Scholarship Support
The final phase in the Youth Pathways program will see our educators creating individual plans for each student during the final year of schooling within REACH. The team supports each student in applying for jobs, vocational training, or further education scholarships through our planned Scholarship Fund.
Furthermore, all youths within this program are provided with additional support to cover the costs of their extra lessons and fees at public school (costing anywhere from AUD$20 – AUD$70 per month per student). By doing this, we can give them the best chance at not only completing high school but excelling in their chosen subjects.
On a case-by-case basis, youths who have already dropped out of public school are instead provided access to short-term monthly financial assistance. This is done to alleviate familial pressures to join the exploitative workforce and begin providing for their families. By issuing these stipends, we can ensure the most at-risk youth can continue to learn within REACH’s programs until we can secure them suitable placements. Opportunities for training, work, and scholarships will be sought through our extensive community partnerships and collaborations.
Students within this program learn the importance of leadership skills, and that given the opportunity, with hard work and a hand up, against all odds, they too can achieve their dreams.
SUPPORT OUR YOUTH PATHWAYS PROGRAM
Click here to join our Running Costs Club to keep the lights on in our classrooms so our youths can work towards their goals. With as little as $10USD per month, you can help REACH cover the basics to ensure the survival of this program.
COMPUTER LITERACY
With limited access to technology, impoverished children are unable to learn the basic computer skills required to gain fair employment. At REACH, we are working towards ensuring all kids have good levels of computer literacy. Click here to learn more.
