Final workshop, toy creators, a swallow house next door

For the final workshop ✊

The final workshop of our two-year CLIP2 project is scheduled for the 7th of this month (today!), and we've been diligently preparing for it for the past two months.

This time around, Adrian, Mayu, and Keiko have spent considerable time working remotely from Australia and Japan until August. We've been collaborating closely with our staff in Cambodia, fostering teamwork across three countries. While the wonders of the Internet have enabled us to work from virtually anywhere, we've been reminded of the joy of working side by side, as it facilitates smoother communication and a better understanding of each staff member's progress.

The new storybook we introduced in last month's issue was completed just in time to ensure the content meets our quality standards. We're confident that teachers will be delighted with this fresh addition, which explores the exciting subject of sports.

For all the insights into the outcomes of this month's workshop, keep an eye out for the next issue coming up next month. 😀

Come forth, toy creator!🪅

Take a look at these adorable toys! Each one is handcrafted with love by our talented TukTuk staff.✨

Sarin and Leakhena are the creative minds behind these charming creations. While many Cambodians are naturally gifted with crafting, our fantastic TukTuk team is no exception when it comes to creating beautiful toys like these. 🙌 These snapshots offer just a glimpse of the toys, with many more eagerly awaiting their moment in the spotlight at upcoming events like workshops.

The inspiration for these toys comes from a variety of sources, including toys crafted by the teachers we work with, toys discovered in international online resources, and our team's imaginative ideas. The entire creative process is captured on video, complete with Khmer subtitles, and then shared on our website and YouTube. This way, teachers and parents can watch and learn.

When we craft these projects, we make a point of using materials that are easily accessible. Our goal is for anyone watching these videos to think, "This looks so easy to make!'', ''I'd love for my kids to create these in the classroom!''. With plenty more ideas up our sleeves, we're committed to continually crafting toys that ignite curiosity and excitement.💪

Khmer of the month

Khmer Word: Chuoy Knea

September 5th marks "International Charity Day," a day dedicated to remembering the incredible work of Mother Teresa, who passed away on September 5th. This month, our chosen word is "Chuoy Knea," which means "help each other" in Khmer.

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. It's the dedication of our volunteers and your warm-hearted donations that allow us to work with teachers in Cambodia every single day. You are making a real difference!

Remember, charity isn't just about financial contributions. It's also about caring about our work, our goals, and the people we help. Share this giving spirit with others. Together, we can build a strong network of support. 🌱

Khmer Food: Bay Damnaeb Svay Tom (Sweet rice and a mango) 👇

Who’s next door...? 🪹

As we mentioned earlier, there's this massive building going up right next to the TukTuk office.

At first, we were all wondering, "What on earth is going to be built there?" The construction process has been quite different from your typical house-building venture... 🤔 They've been digging the foundation deeper and deeper... 🤔. Our curiosity was piqued – would it be some enormous mansion, and who'd be moving in, we wondered...? Well, as it turns out, the future residents are, believe it or not, swallows! 😂 The "swallow's nest" business has gained popularity in Cambodia in recent years, with the goal of exporting to China. They're leveraging the swallows' natural nesting instincts and turning these buildings into what resembles giant, windowless caves to attract them.

This "swallow house" is already as tall as a three-story office building from the outside (and we suspect it might just keep growing... 🙄). When it's done, they'll be playing the sweet sounds (?) of swallows on speakers from 6:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. to lure in these feathered neighbors. And to be neighborly themselves, the speakers will face away from our office (though we're still determining how effective that'll be…) So, here's to hoping we get along just fine with our unexpected bird buddies! 🕊️🏡😄

Voluntuker spotlight | Vicheka

This month, we'd like to introduce you to Vicheka, a valuable member of the Rotary Club of Pursat (RCP) and a key collaborator in the CLIP project. Let's get to know him better:

What is your role at RCP?: I serve as the primary host contact for various global grants, including CLIP1 and CLIP2. My primary goal is to enhance education for children in our community. Collaborating with the sponsor club and partnering with TukTuk on the CLIP2 project brings me immense joy. This project focuses on providing targeted preschools with essential resources and training to improve their teaching methods. As an enthusiast for education, I feel fortunate to collaborate with government officials and TukTuk to develop strategies that ensure children receive a quality early childhood education. My responsibilities as the primary host contact involve reviewing budgets and reports, conducting periodic visits to preschools, and participating in workshops, assessments, and evaluations to maintain the project's integrity and quality. It's an honor to work with TukTuk and contribute, as a Rotarian, to the mission of providing every child with the right to education.

What do you do outside RCP?: I work for Sustainable Cambodia, a school that operates with the support of Rotary, and I hold the position of Operations Manager. My main objective is to facilitate access to high-quality education for children in rural schools, from primary to university levels, empowering them to realize their aspirations and dreams. Beyond our focus on children's education, we collaborate with their families to address pressing community issues. This includes initiatives like constructing wells, implementing water filtration systems, building latrines, and promoting organic farming and animal husbandry. These efforts aim to enhance access to nutrition and income. I firmly believe that education and empowerment are the cornerstones for transforming individual lives and entire communities.

Impression of CLIP2: I have noticed a significant improvement in the skills and self-assurance of our designated teachers, all thanks to the CLIP2 project. Learning has become an enjoyable experience, and our preschools are reaping the benefits of this positive transformation due to our teachers' active involvement in the workshops. Consequently, the targeted students are relishing a diverse and imaginative learning environment. Moreover, our teachers have enthusiastically embraced technology, utilizing it to craft captivating worksheets and tap into online resources for teaching children. I am genuinely impressed by the creative prowess of the TukTuk team. They have developed online materials that not only aid our preschool teachers but are also accessible to parents and other educators throughout Cambodia.

Hopes for Preschool Education in Cambodia: I hope to see this preschool transformation replicated throughout the country!

Vicheka is a Rotary member who has been collaborating with us since the CLIP1 project in 2021. Having been acquainted with the CLIP project from its very beginning, he shares our profound enthusiasm for CLIP2 and the delight of carrying on with CLIP3. His fluency in English and a great sense of humor make him an invaluable part of the CLIP project!!

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, we promise). 😉

Get Involved ⇢

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