Schools reopening, Happy Tap hand wash stands, Phan Ey

TukTalk 48 reports schools and kindergartens reopening in Cambodia, Happy Tap hand wash stands for partner schools and a spotlight on musician Phan Ey.

From the TukTuk team in Pursat, Cambodia

Phum Ben holidays in Cambodia🛕

Masked kindergarten children walk in a classroom holding their worksheets

It's the end of the year, well almost, and the fat man in the red hat is not too far off visiting. This year continues to fly by, perhaps because our social life has been so limited, it's been work, work, work. It's a slow reemergence into society but we are already searching for flights back to Cambodia. Are you planning for your next travel as well?

Early in October, Cambodia had Phum Ben Holiday. For 15 days, traditionally they would visit the temple in their spare time and the last 3 days are public holidays. It is a time for families to come together. Although there are some restrictions on movements, our staff still managed 9 consecutive days off for family and relaxation. We wish we were there this year to enjoy it with them but we are sure to make it next year.

Adrian & Mayu & Milly 🦘👘 👶🏻

Schools reopening finally🏫

Collage: masked children sit in classrooms, line up outside and take worksheets as schools reopen

Vaccinations for 12 to 17 years old began at the end of August, and from September 15th, classes of 9th to 12th graders started first. Elementary school students were next and currently waiting for the second vaccination. The Cambodian government has decreed that later this year, children aged 3 to 5 will start, meaning kindergartens will open again in Jan 2021.

Taking advantage of the weird school timing, Cambodia has moved their school year which traditionally finished in August and started in November. It will now start in January which will align with other SE Asian and Pacific countries. Currently, kindergarten has no class activities, but they continue to hand out worksheets. It seems that some schools are able to gather children in the classroom and distribute worksheets.

4th quarter already😲

Collage: teachers and parents receive blue folders and worksheets from TukTuk staff at schools

The third quarter of the CLIP project finished in September, leaving less than 3 months left in 2021. The reopening of the kindergarten is still uncertain, so for the next three months this year, we will keep concentrating in creating teaching materials.

In particular, our latest Tukbook, "What Are You Good at?", which was introduced in a past issue, has now been completed along with all the accompanying educational resources. Our next Tukbook and the related materials are set to be finished by the end of this year. Unfortunately our workshops were cancelled for this year but we have been busy making them into an online course so that teachers can learn online if they are not part of our target schools, or as review for schools that attend the workshops next year. In addition, we are adding more and more worksheets for the teachers to distribute to their students.

All TukTuk staff have done a fantastic job, creating new resources with special thanks to our army of Voluntukers.

Khmer of the month

Khmer Word: Tow Vott

In Pchum Ben, which is the ancestors festival, many Cambodians go to visit temples. This word that I often hear at such times. "Tow" is "go", "vott" is "temple", so together means "let's go to the temple!".

Khmer Food:

Num Ansom（festival food）👇

Sticky rice rolled in banana leaf, the Khmer festival food Num Ansom, with a note that it is very filling

Hand wash stands delivered🙌

Collage: Happy Tap hand wash stands are handed over to teachers and installed at partner kindergartens

In May, Happy Tap organisation donated 20 of their "hand wash stands" to give away to partner schools. Due to school closures, we had to delay the rollout. Since elementary schools have now opened, and many of our target kindergartens are attached, we could finally begin to deliver them. We would be very happy if washing hands at the Happy Tap washstand will become a new routine for children when picking up worksheets.

Tukstaff spotlight | Phan Ey

Tukstaff Spotlight banner with a portrait of TukTuk staff member Phan Ey

Tukstaff for the month is our music maestro, Phan Ey.

Favorite things： To make songs, teach music, share my experiences with others
What I do for TukTuk： I made Tuksongs for kindergarten teachers and children and teach how to play ukulele to the teachers.
A word for everyone： Thank you so much for your support and donation to help kindergarten students in Pursat. I wish you all good luck and your health. Thank you!

Phan Ey is working remotely for TukTuk while he studies music at Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang. All the newer songs that you can see on YouTube are created by Phan Ey so please have a look!

We are currently looking for volunteers with the following skill sets to help TukTuk bring educational resources to Cambodia;

Google Ads
Fundraising

If you want to get involved or know someone with skills that could help us spread positive education in Cambodia, hit that link below and say hi (we're friendly, promise).

Get Involved ⇢