Cambodian Cultural After-School Program

 

Shaping cultural identities of Cambodian youth.

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About

 

The CCASP runs from 2:30pm - 5:30pm following the Lowell Public School calendar. We help our youth succeed through homework assistance and Cambodian-related classes including:

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• Khmer Language

• Cambodian Culture and History 

• Cambodian Musical Instruments

• Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance

• Cambodian Folk Songs 

• World Affairs

 

Khmer Language Classes

 

Youth are able to learn how to speak, understand, read, and write the Khmer language. This not only helps teach the youth to be proud of knowing their family’s mother tongue, but also to ease communication with their parents, elders in their family, and other people in the Cambodian community.

 

Culture and History

 

The youth learn about Cambodian customs such as formal greetings and important cultural holidays. They also learn to meditate and how to recite Buddhist scriptures, learn about Cambodia’s geography, and its history. With this further insight, we hope to instill a sense of pride within the youth for being Cambodian and help shape their unique cultural identity.

 

Traditional Music 

 

The youth learn about the different instruments used for classical and traditional folk music. They also receive training in playing one of the many instruments of the Cambodian orchestra from renowned master teachers.

 

Folk Songs

 

The youth are taught several child-friendly folk song staples such as Sarika Keo Euy សារិកាកែវអឺយ and Arapiya អារ៉ាប់ពីយ៉ា to practice their language skills, and form a sense of rhythm and melody.

 

Classical and Folk Dance

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The youth are able to learn classical and folk dances such as Bopha Lokei របាំបុប្ផាលោកីយ៍​ and Coconut របាំគោះត្រឡោក to practice flexibility, structure, discipline, and the dancing arts.