Envisioning a Brighter Future at EYC

Almost two months ago now, Stacy Sims, Terri Smith, Karen Pinsky, and I ventured across the globe to lead a program exploring themes of wonder, curiosity, and hope in our universe with students at Empowering Youth in Cambodia. I had no idea what to expect, but I had a sense that I would learn just as much from them as they would from me throughout my time there.

Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC) is a grassroots organization that provides free supplemental education and opportunities for 750 children and young adults living in the disadvantaged communities of Phnom Penh. EYC operates three community centers that offer refuge for talented young people, hungry for change and the chance to create a brighter future for themselves and their families. EYC presents an opportunity for students to dream beyond being street vendors, trash collectors, or tuk-tuk drivers by helping them stay in school and complete vocational training or university. In turn, students develop the skills and confidence necessary to drive positive change for themselves, their families, and their communities.

The first thing we did was take off our shoes. Everyone in the school is barefoot—students, teachers, staff, and guests. In their culture, feet are considered to be the dirtiest part of the body, which is why no footwear is allowed in any place of worship. It’s a sign of respect, so shoes are taken off before entering homes, schools, and many other establishments.

Over the course of three days, we visited three schools and led eight classrooms of students aged 6-24 in our Wonder Curriculum. We were greeted with smiling faces, curious eyes, and engaged minds, not only from the students but also from their teachers. 50% of the EYC teachers and staff are former or current students so they have a deep understanding of the importance of this program for the betterment of their futures.

The students meditated as they wondered about the universe, moved their bodies like planets in orbit, created their own galaxies, and wrote a collective group poem. We asked the students to draw their own planet in space, a planet that they would like to live on. Even though we were across the world from Cincinnati, Ohio, the students expressed similar themes that we do here such as family, peace, love, nature, and community. One little boy asked me how to spell my name and drew a picture of me in the EYC school with him, he even included my high ponytail.

We were welcome with open arms and open hearts. The students taught me about resiliency and the importance of dreaming beyond your current life situation. While I was in Cambodia, I was reading Eckhart Tolle's, A New Earth. A passage that continues to stick with me as a reminder of my time there is the following:

"There are three words that convey the secret of the art of living, the secret of all success and happiness: One With Life. Being one with life is being one with Now. You then realize that you don't live your life, but life lives you. Life is the dancer, and you are the dance."

For more information on EYC or to support please visit their website here.

Students meditating

Moving our bodies like planets in space

Taking a collective breath and feeling the group energy

Student's galaxy drawing

A student's drawing of the EYC school with me and my high ponytail

A beautiful quote on the classroom wall

Stacy Sims leading "We Wonder" poem

"We Wonder" group poem

Students practicing hand breathing