Happy New Year!
Yes I know, new years was weeks ago but in Cambodia, new years is in April so, in fact, we are pretty early. 2019 was a big year for TukTuk with a huge increase in staff, many new songs and activities in the schools and a new book, completely created by TukTuk. We are super proud of the work we achieved in 2019 and super keen on what's to come. This is our final update for last year and a warm welcome to 2020.
Mayu & Adrian 👘🦘
TUKTUK'S JOURNEY TO 2020!
This January marks the 3rd anniversary of the Tukquarters. In January 2017 our office consisted of 2 volunteers and our first employee. At its peak in 2019, we had 14 people jammed into the 6 x 7m wooden house that sometimes reached 38 degrees. The Tukquarters is a typical Khmer house that we turned into a practical yet loved, second home for all the staff and voluntukers.
2020 may see us moving to a new office, but it is the current sweat box that has got us where we are today.
NEW YEAR IN PURSAT 🎶
Cambodian people love to party and what is the biggest party of the year? Yep that's right, New Years. And they love it so much that we celebrate it twice. (They have a public holiday on January 1st and then a whole week for Khmer New Year in April.)
What did TukTuk do for New Year? Well... in Pursat City, there was an island concert. Plus, fireworks from the Sky Bar. With health and safety barely an afterthought, it was a beautifully ashy entry into the new decade.
In addition to New Years, we also had two staff birthdays on January 1st - now that really is a reason to celebrate (and let off unregulated fireworks). Happy Birthday Fy and Phan Ey, you guys do such amazing work for TukTuk.
KHMER OF THE MONTH
Khmer Word: Suosdai Chnum Thmai
"Suosdai=Hi", "Chnum=Year" and "Thmai=New" makes "Happy New Year". You can use both for International New Year and Khmer New Year.
Khmer Food: Borbor Moan (Chicken Porridge)👇
THE SLEEPY SUN, A FANTASTIC DONATION
A big thank you to Kisso (a Siem Reap based NGO) for donating a heap of new Khmer books, oohhhh yeaaahhhhh.
"The Sleepy Sun" is a beautifully illustrated Khmer children's book, created by the talented Japanese author Tomonori Taniguchi. We've added 8 editions across the schools we support. Plus, we did some story-sessions with the new book.
The kids loved "The Sleepy Sun". Thank you a million times Kisso for the kind donation ♥
VOLUNTUKER SPOTLIGHT | MATT 📈
What a guy... Meet Matt, the Ozzy highschool teacher helping us measure measure measure. He's taken TukTuk data reporting to the next level (who said charity work isn't glamorous).
Matt's been working across TukTuk projects, setting up an 'Index For Success' measurement protocol - basically, helping us track project impact. Matt also gave up his Christmas to help TukTuk, so we're beyond thankful for his support. Cheers, Matt, you rock.
We are currently looking for volunteers with the following skill sets to help TukTuk bring educational resources to Cambodia;
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 ⇢
TUKTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS 📸