Vocational Skills
Motorbike Mechanics
These courses run in 4 of the largest prisons. The courses run over a 3 month period and at one prison a guard has gone to school to learn to teach this subject and with help from one of the staff is doing a good job. PFC, through various donors, provides the teachers, equipment and old motorbikes to practice on.
Sewing
Sewing courses for women are currently running in three prisons. We provide the trainers (or teach prison staff how to teach sewing), some machines and materials. The course has proven popular. Women represent around 5% of the total prison population. The prisons in which this course is held hold about 80% of these women.
Electronics
Electronics has been undergoing changes. It was found the course was too short for the students to gain usable skills. This year, 2010, it is now extended to a 6 month course and has a wider focus. This will see students able to use the skills to get employment.
Computers
This course has seen exciting developments. It was started with desktop computers in 3 prisons. Now with a modular format, 2 dedicated teachers, 12 laptops and 2 generators the course is taught in 7 prisons 3 times a year. The staff spend 2 weeks at a prison teaching a module to officials and prisoners. Three useful modules can be taught a year.
Weaving
This weaving programme is a cooperative venture between the prison and Prison Fellowship Cambodia. Four weaving machines have been provided to produce sarongs or 'sampots' from Cambodian silk. ! sampot is produced on one machine every two days providing a skill for women and some income from each item produced.