July 2013

Jennie Xu (徐锦嫦) was a CWEF scholarship recipient in both high school and university. In July, Jennie returned to Xiangshan high school, where she was once a student, to volunteer as part of the 2013 EMBER summer camp and give back to the current Xiangshan students. This is just one of many times she has returned to participate in activities with the students at her former school.

On the last day of the 2013 EMBER Summer Camp, we received the exciting news that Jennie was officially offered a position as an English teacher at Xiangshan High School! Something tells us she will be the perfect mentor for the next generation of Xiangshan students.

Here are excerpts from an interview with Jennie:

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In what years were you a student at Xiangshan High School, and when did you become a scholarship student?

Jennie: I was a student from 2006 to 2009 and I became a scholarship recipient in 2006.

Do you feel that being a scholarship student changed your attitude towards school?

Jennie: Oh yes, absolutely. They not only paid my tuition, but also supported me to learn about life and how to overcome the difficulties in our lives; to give us confidence to face them; to be leaders.

How did you feel when you got into university? How about your family?

Jennie: Excited and happy, of course!! I have the opportunity to learn more. This offered me a great opportunity to meet more people, learn more things, and meet new friends. My family was also very happy and excited because they never imagined I would go to “Uni”! They are also very proud of me.

You received a university scholarship…what was the process like?

Jennie: First, CWEF & EMBER visit all of the graduates. Then, after I was accepted to Zhaoqing University, I was told I have a chance to apply for the scholarship. Next, I turned in my application and they visited my home again to discuss the scholarship with me.

How did you choose a major? When did you know this was what you wanted to do?

Jennie: I like English. In high school when I first learned I liked it very much I decided I wanted to be a teacher. During the EMBER Summer Camp, they asked us to think about a goal and that is when I became determined to reach my goal.

What advice would you give to current high school scholarship girls?

Jennie: First of all, I would like to say that I have found it was very difficult to find a satisfying job; there are many limitations. Also, grasp every opportunity to do anything that can develop your ability. Don’t be shy. You have to try.

During the 2014 EMBER Summer Camp, Teacher Jennie sat down to be interviewed again:

Have you ever lacked water even for a day? How about walking several miles to get water without assurance that you will find it? You may not want to experience this but there are millions of people every day who don’t have access to clean water for their basic needs. Some of those in need can be found in Takeo province, Cambodia. Takeo, once known as Water Chenla due to its abundance of water during the rainy season, contains hundreds of families who suffer from a lack of safe drinking water.

From May 19 to 31, 2013, CWEF staff continued in their mission to open the floodgates of flowing-water through the Water Well Project in Toul Roka village along with 5 other villages in Takeo province. With continuous cooperation from local partners, eight pump-and-ring type water wells have been successfully installed to serve 64 underprivileged families who had to walk 1 to 2 kilometers to get water from the closest pond. The water pond is murky, contains many kinds of bacteria and parasites and is not suitable for drinking yet it served many families in the area. During the hot season, the pond would dry up leaving the local villagers without any water. Today, thanks to the new wells, clear flowing water serves the community year round.

Through the use of local experts, CWEF has gained much knowledge in the proper installation of wells and the education of the villagers. Following this plan, CWEF staff met with local partners and the water well contractor to decide where to locate the wells, what type of wells should be used, and how they could be installed. In addition to the installation of the wells, “safe water education and well maintenance” training was conducted for 5 individuals from the 6 villages so they can learn and pass on their education to the other families in the area. CWEF staff is working to empower local people with knowledge and skills to reach out to help their own communities.