Fourth follow-up visits, mobile library wrap-up, Stuart

TukTalk 60 covers the final follow-up visits of 2022, the mobile library wrap-up, a session with Japanese students and director Stuart's spotlight.

From the TukTuk team in Pursat, Cambodia

A fun time at the Water Festival 🛶

Two smiling kindergarten children in school uniform hold hands

How are you all doing? Temperatures in Japan continue to fluctuate from day to day. In last month's issue, we hoped you take good care of your health, but Milly is now sick with a runny nose. We can't wait to get back to Cambodia's warm weather.

In the blink of an eye, TukTalk has reached its 60th issue. We really appreciate your continued support!

Last few days, Cambodia held a water festival. Initially, the event was held in larger cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but in recent years, a boat race has been held in Pursat as well, and the celebration appears to be growing in size year after year. It's fun to go to Phnom Penh to watch the boat race, but it's also fun to watch it in Pursat, especially since some of the participants are officials from the Provincial Office whom we personally know. We sincerely hope each of you can visit Pursat to witness it firsthand!

Adrian & Mayu & Milly 🦘👘 👶🏻

This year's 4th & final follow-up visit 👀

Collage: TukTuk staff play games with children, film activities and interview teachers during the fourth follow-up visits

We began our follow-up visits to each target school in early October, following the fourth workshop held in September.

Some preschools, as is customary, allowed us to play games with the children and film them in order to create activity videos, and also the Rotary Club of Pursat did direct interviews with the teachers.

The school year will end in November, and the youngsters have become more well-behaived. When they see our tuk-tuks, they now clap their hands in delight, and some of them would even say, "I'll be good until the TukTuk people come again!" 😁

We're delighted to have become a recognizable presence to the children. 😄

Wrapping up this year's mobile library project 🛺

Collage: children read picture books and play with toys and puzzles from the mobile library project

The 'Mobile Library Project' lends toys and storybooks to target schools every two or three months, and with all schools taking a month off in December, we collected them back in October to prepare for next year.

We were able to lend these materials out four times this year, and our teachers have said they are having a positive impact on their students. For example, the children can learn about colors, numbers, shapes, and animals through toys and storybooks, as well as how to handle books and maintain a clean and organized play space. The children all seemed to benefit from the books and toys; some found them beneficial in making school more enjoyable, while others made up their own stories while gazing at the illustrations. The books do, in fact, foster the child's imagination.

Thank you very much to everyone who donated the books and toys! 📚💕

Khmer of the month

Khmer Word: Sala Mottey

World Children's Day is observed yearly on November 20. This month's featured Khmer word is 'Sala Mottey,' which means 'preschool.' TukTuk, which is active in preschools on a daily basis, will carry on with our mission to support preschool students to have a joyful and engaging educational experience. 🙂

Khmer Food: Pot Chamhay (Corn kernel snacks) 👇

Corn kernel snack coated with coconut shavings and sesame, the Khmer food of the month Pot Chamhay

Yet another collab with Japanese students🗾

Collage: Japanese university students attend a TukTuk presentation and pose with TukTuk storybooks

Since last year, we've been collaborating with Seinan Jogakuin University's English Department in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan, on a class called "International Volunteer Exercise."

The Kamishibai, videos, and worksheets from last year's students have already been posted to TukTuk's digital library website and are being utilized by teachers in Cambodia.

In contrast to the previous year when everything was conducted online, this year we were finally able to hold a session in person. The students were attentive throughout Adrian's presentation and at first appeared apprehensive during the Q&A session; however, as the session progressed, they eventually participated by raising their hands and were so involved that we ran out of time at the conclusion.

Over our conversation, we discussed the support that TukTuk hopes to get, and during the upcoming classes, the students will be discussing and putting into action the things that they want to achieve. This is a four-month program, and we're excited to see what we can accomplish together this year. 😊

Voluntuker spotlight | Stuart

Voluntuker Spotlight banner with a portrait of TukTuk director Stuart

Because he works behind the scenes, many of you probably haven't heard much about TukTuk's third director, Stu. He was one of the original volunteers working with the TukTuk Theater Project and was even instrumental in our first failed attempt at buying a tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh.

Stu has been supporting us on an administrative level over the past 6 years and now with a young family, will be moving on from being a director of TukTuk to an all-around supporter. This means we are looking for a new Director to replace him. (Reply if you are interested in getting more involved or know a good fit. 😄)

Thanks, Stu, for all the support over the past 6 years and hope to see you in Cambodia again soon!

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

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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, we promise). 😉

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