TukTuk annual report 2020: curriculum-aligned book creation

General Overview

Whilst working in 8 preschools in Cambodia running a mobile library, we have found a distinct lack of preschool-aged books. Further to this, no books are specifically created to support the government curriculum. This grant was to cover the creation of 10 curriculum-aligned books over a 12 month period as well as supply the necessary hardware.

In this project, we have only finished our 4th book but also created a series of worksheets, worksheet instruction videos, activities, original songs to compliment all 4 books as well as additional worksheets, pictures for illustration bank and songs to compliment government curriculums. We could create all these resources due to Covid-19. 3 months into this grant period there was a fair amount of upheaval due to COVID with schools closing and preparing staff for remote work. Because all the schools shut down and staff had to work remotely, we had plenty of time to concentrate on creating resources. And once things got a little bit better, we could contribute our created resources to partner teachers so that when they visit children’s homes to teach, they could provide some teaching materials for them.

Accomplishments and Impact

Resource Packages

For each book that we create, we decided to make a resource package to teach the contents of the government curriculum. To do so, we have decided to create at least 9 worksheets, 10 activities, 1 song, and instruction videos to go with them.

Also for each book, in addition to Kamishibai form which we hand out to all the classes, we decided to make printable version (A4), mobile version (for them to read on the phone).

TukBooks Series

Jack the Giant

Continued from the last grant.

We added 9 activities, 13 worksheets, 7 instruction videos, and 1 original song.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19Q6P9u3kpdvCcgns0PtvBF6hpyUnW0eO?usp=sharing

Happy Khmer New Year

Continued from the last grant.

We added 6 activities, 1 worksheets, 12 instruction videos, and 2 original songs.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16_0DRA1icP5uf_VkMSVIkuxAK1st5xMw?usp=sharing

Who Painted The Sky?

Continued from the last grant.

We added 16 activities, 11 instruction videos, and 1 original song.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12sVGajYJ1Qp3W-MygCzzvLap90sCDYmk?usp=sharing

Teeny Tiny Monsters

Our 4th book is about hand washing.

We created 3 different forms of books, 11 worksheets and 2 original songs.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MqQpwpGIAMGx3afpqfExfgCIbkQTxbpK?usp=sharing

For all the TukBooks, we have created Kindle versions as well for our social enterprise purpose.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SCF1H1H?ref_=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tkin&binding=kindle_edition

Additional Resources

Khmer Alphabet

In the last grant, we completed the Khmer Alphabet poster and cards. In this grant, we created 137 worksheets around Khmer Alphabets and 1 card activity.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1086KGuXOPTHTEh0qSqWJW_4m3b0szDKi?usp=sharing

Khmer Numbers

We created 26 worksheets around Khmer Numbers and 1 card activity.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gZJtoFJkBJmlSVxIafmvB6pmLzew90SY?usp=sharing

Illustration Bank

We created 119 pictures around schools, vegetables and fruits.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VFQ92TiV37LhP27Xb_BjtnjhBBGmx2aE?usp=sharing

Music

We created 7 new original music and music videos and 7 music sound for Cambodian government recommended songs.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PV6YhEKf1DtBTuwJeOg0z1AYT7WP_SzP?usp=sharing

Challenges and Impact

TIMELINE - we initially set out with the goal to create 10 books in 1 year. Once we started we soon realized that this was unrealistic. Things we did not take into consideration include;

1. Character development
2. Book editing and translation - initially the story changed a couple of times meaning the drawings also needed updating.
3. Book layout

We have improved the process by ensuring the book content and translation is complete before starting the illustrations. And as our experience grows, layouts will become easier and faster. Given the current time taken to create books, we think 4 books per year will deliver high quality, curriculum-aligned books.

COST - This grant only covers the salary for the illustrator, however, we have found that this is only half of the work. The story development and translation have taken a lot of additional hours along with developing the layouts. Printing, logistics, etc also have taken a lot of time and additional money. Although we were happy to raise this money separately, we need to keep in mind that these costs exist and need to be budgeted for in future grants.

Progress against timeline

With the new adjustment of 4 books for this grant, we are now on time to deliver high quality, curriculum-aligned books by the end of the 12 month period.

Budget Update

The budget covers the salary for the illustrator, and partial salary for other staff who are involved in creating resources for this year and the hardware. The grant is on budget for these costs.

Conclusion

Although we had a challenging year, adapting a new way of work styles, our staff adjusted very well and because we couldn’t visit schools, we could spend a lot more time creating new resources to support teachers in these hard times. We had good feedback about our resources from the teachers and also parents who’s children go to our partner schools.