3rd workshop, school visits, teachers share resources

The third CLIP3 workshop with Word lessons and a craft activity, July school visits, and teachers sharing TukTuk songs beyond the project.

From the TukTuk team in Pursat, Cambodia

The circle of TukTuk is expanding 🎶

TukTalk 81 cover: dozens of teachers in blue polo shirts pose outside a building with a Rotary sign

How is everyone surviving the hot summer (or cold winter)? Cambodia’s heat is quite manageable thanks to the rain and our abundance of coconut and sugarcane juice. These natural refreshments are lifesavers! Unfortunately, our TukTuk team has been battling colds due to the recent rainy weather. Coconut juice has been a real savior there too. July was a remarkable month for TukTuk! We’re thrilled to share that CLIP3 teachers are now sharing our workshop contents with teachers outside the program. More details below. 👇 Additionally, we are secretly brewing a new project, although Mayu spilled the beans at the JICA awards ceremony in June (believing in the power of words!). 🤫 We are now setting our antennas in various directions to make it happen. Financial challenges persist, but we’re optimistic about building strong support! As the TukTuk circle continues to grow and strive to realize our ambitions, we hope you will continue to support us and lend a helping hand. 🙏

Warm regards,
Adrian & Mayu & Milly 🦘👘🧒

The third workshop ✍

Workshop collage: teachers at laptops and craft tables, a presenter at a podium, a woman holding up a picture book

Our third workshop took place on July 4th, following our school visits in June. To accommodate four workshops before the extended October break and align with the annual preschool schedule, our small but dedicated TukTuk team has been working tirelessly on each upcoming event. 💪😄

The workshop kicked off with a Word tutorial conducted by the Rotary Club of Pursat (RCP). While many teachers were familiar with Word for basic document creation and lesson plans, some required additional support. To ensure everyone was on the same page, we focused on fundamental operations. As next workshop will be RCP's final computer class, we aim to cover essential Word skills in both this and the next session.

Following the tutorial, we introduced TukTuk's picture books, "What Are You Good At?" and "Which Job Would You Like?" accompanied by related teaching materials. A new addition this time was a hands-on craft activity. Many teachers expressed reservations about crafts due to perceived challenges or costs. However, the workshop demonstrated that simple crafts can be created using everyday items. The activity was surprisingly well-received, sparking creativity and enthusiasm among the participants.

We also unveiled TukTuk's original kamishibai, "Meakara, Meakara." Unlike traditional storytelling, this interactive format captivated the teachers with its novel approach and rhythmic text. Its popularity has led to widespread classroom use, with some teachers even incorporating the "Meakara, Meakara, hands on your knees" phrase as a classroom management tool. ♪

A teacher from last year's CLIP project, Ms. Sina, shared her positive experience using TukTuk's materials. She emphasized the alignment with the preschool curriculum and the value of computer skills in creating worksheets. Her insights provided valuable context for the current participants.

Overall, the workshop was a productive and enjoyable experience, equipping teachers with practical skills and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

School visits again 👀

Collage of preschool classroom visits: children drawing, reading, raising hands and listening to teachers

Following the workshop, we embarked on school visits. Our pre-visit survey indicated that songs from TukTuk's website were the most popular. During our visits, we were delighted to see teachers incorporating newly introduced songs into their children's exercise routines.

Kamishibai and worksheets were also in regular use, with many teachers employing kamishibai up to three times weekly for storytelling. Observing different teaching styles provided valuable insights for selecting future workshop reading session participants.

It was inspiring to witness teachers actively implementing workshop materials. Their creativity was evident in homemade crafts and enhanced classroom decor. The positive impact of our workshop programs on teachers is undeniable.

Khmer of the month

Khmer Word: Daum Doang

A standout among the songs introduced in the recent workshop was the "Coconut Tree Song." Known as "Daum Doang" in Khmer, the song highlights the incredible versatility of this ubiquitous Cambodian tree. From its edible fruit and refreshing water to its structural uses in building homes, the coconut tree truly offers it all. Coconut oil, milk, and even utensils can be crafted from its various parts. It's no wonder this remarkable tree is so cherished! 🥥

Khmer Food: Cha Huoy Doang (Coconut milk agar) 👇

Cut pieces of white coconut milk jelly with yellow strips, beside text on making coconut milk jelly

Target teachers spreading the knowledge 🎶

Collage of teachers meeting in a wooden hall, sharing songs and materials, with coconut illustrations on yellow

Preschool teachers in each region convene twice monthly to develop lesson plans and research teaching materials. Just a week after our recent workshop, we received heartwarming footage from one of our target areas. A teacher was leading a session, enthusiastically sharing workshop songs with teachers from 33 preschools. Remarkably, over 40 of these teachers were new to the project, demonstrating the rapid spread of our TukTuk materials. 😊

To broaden access, the district education officer established a lending system for the TukTuk Kamishibai, allowing other preschools to borrow them. This initiative ensures a wider pool of teachers can utilize these valuable resources.

Seeing the project participants take on leadership roles and use TukTuk materials to enhance early childhood education in their communities is incredibly rewarding. The non-target teachers who attended the meeting particularly enjoyed the "Coconut Tree" and "Coconut Counting" songs. It's exciting to think that these songs will be used in many preschools, spreading joy and learning even further. 😊

Voluntuker spotlight | Sofilta

Voluntuker Spotlight banner with a smiling portrait of Sofilta, co-founder of the education startup REAN AAN

This month, we are excited to introduce Sofilta, a leader from our partner organisation, REAN AAN. He was a valuable participant in our recent workshop, where he generously shared his expertise during the computer lessons. ✨

What is REAN AAN?: REAN AAN is an EdTech startup aimed at improving primary education in Cambodia through technology. It was founded in 2021 by a small but passionate team. In the latter half of 2023, they launched a mobile app called Chlat App, which provides educational videos for children aged 4 to 12. The app aims to teach basic Khmer literacy, spark children's curiosity, and enhance their primary education experience. Currently, there are about 4,000 registered users, with children and parents using the app daily.

What does Sofilta do at REAN AAN?: I'm a co-founder and operations leader at REAN AAN. My primary role is to oversee the overall operations and set the direction for sustainable growth. Additionally, I contribute to the video production process and the development of technological products.

What makes you happy at work?: I find joy in seeing children learn happily through our videos and hearing from teachers that our materials help save time and improve lessons.

What do you think about the collaboration with TukTuk?: I believe that this collaboration has allowed us to place more creative videos and resources on our platform, making them accessible to more children, parents, and teachers. I see this partnership as a step forward in improving early childhood and primary education in Cambodia.

Sofilta, who is proficient in English, is a reliable young Cambodian who established REAN AAN while working as an English teacher. He now leads the startup company, contributing to Cambodian education through his dual roles. Our collaboration with REAN AAN began when he showed interest in our materials and reached out to us via Facebook. Sofilta is a passionate young man dedicated to advancing education in Cambodia, and our partnership with REAN AAN has helped us distribute TukTuk’s materials to a wider audience.

In the coming months, we will introduce more members of the REAN AAN team. Get ready to meet the passionate young talents driving positive change in Cambodia!

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

Google Ads
Fundraising
Website Development

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 ⇢