4th workshop, a new helper, GDG network meeting

The 4th workshop ✍

After much preparation, the final workshop of the year was concluded last month. This fourth workshop was the last in a series of Word courses taught by the member of the Rotary Club of Pursat (RCP). As a summary of the course, the teachers created lesson plan formats using Word, incorporating new operations such as creating tables, while also practicing the skills they had learned up to this point. Even the teachers who regularly create lesson plans on their computers seem to have been copying formats and are not yet accustomed to creating lesson plans from scratch using the mouse. However, these skills are necessary to fulfill the teachers' strong desire to create worksheets on the computer. We encourage each target teacher to review and practice on their own in preparation for next year's worksheets creation lessons.

The TukTuk storybooks introduced during this workshop were "Being Good" and "We Can – Just Differently." In the “Being Good Song,” which incorporates traditional Cambodian dances and rhythms, a teacher who is a skilled dancer taught the participants. 🎶 We also saw the teachers' shining talents in the crafts program, which was also very popular in the previous workshop too. Some teachers even cut their lunch break short to make time to create original and imaginative works.

At the last part of the program, officers from the preschool education department of each target area (DOE) provided feedback on the lesson plans created by the target teachers. While all participating teachers learned how to create lesson plans, it seemed that many had not fully absorbed the material. We will ask DOE staff to review the lesson plans that will be uploaded to our website, and we will release them after we receive permission. In this way, we hope that the lesson plans created by CLIP3 teachers will serve as models for others to follow.

That staff as a helper! 👏

TukTuk is constantly creating new teaching materials, but with only five Khmer staff members, there is a limit to how much we can produce. That’s why Rasin, who used to come to TukTuk as an intern, has returned—this time as a volunteer! The team is even more energetic with the return of our youngest member.

Currently, he is editing picture stories drawn by the Japanese students of Seinan Jo Gakuin University in Khmer and illustrating the stories created by the TukTuk staff. When this storybook is completed, it will be the first Tukbook by Rasin, so please look forward to its release! 😊

Khmer of the month

Khmer Word: Tesachar

Did you know that September 27 is World Tourism Day? The goal is to promote tourism globally and highlight its cultural, social, political, and economic significance. In fact, Angkor Wat, a World Heritage site and one of Cambodia's major tourist attractions, will have its opening hours extended to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Prime Minister's inauguration. Visitors can now enjoy even more opportunities to witness the sunrise and sunset. We hope you'll visit too! 🛫

Khmer Food: Phaak (Fermented fish) 👇

Attending the GDG network meeting 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏽

At the end of August, Adrian and Mayu attended the GDG Network Meeting in Phnom Penh, the first meeting TukTuk has participated in since partnering with GDG. It was a great opportunity to engage with nearly 70 participants from about 40 organisations in Cambodia that partner with GDG. Adrian was a panelist and had the chance to discuss the sustainability of TukTuk's activities with Meena from GDG and two representatives from other organisations. Meena also arranged for us to introduce our educational materials website and sell TukBooks, which generated a lot of interest from participating education-related NGOs—some even purchased TukBooks. Once again, we received comments like, "I didn't know you had a website like this!" "Thanks for creating it!" and "I'd love to attend your workshops!" These comments gave us the opportunity to reflect on TukTuk's next steps. The GDG Network Meeting is held once a year, and we're excited to meet more people next year.

What's ChhingChhing up to now? 🎨

ChhingChhing worked as an illustrator for TukTuk until last year. During her time with us, she not only created storybooks but also produced numerous worksheets and illustrations for our illustration bank. So, where is she now, and what is she up to?

What are you up to now? I work as a graphic designer for a company called BiZKHMER Media in Phnom Penh, focusing on branding for our clients.

How is life in Phnom Penh? I've experienced a lot since moving to Phnom Penh. For example, dealing with traffic jams we didn’t have in Pursat, discovering interesting places to hang out on my days off, working with people from different provinces, sharing my knowledge about digital marketing with them, etc. 😊

Is your experience at TukTuk helping you now?: Yes, of course! When I draw cute illustrations for posters, I draw on my experience from creating children's illustrations at TukTuk.

What are your current goals? My current goals are to further my career in graphic design by creating engaging motion videos and learning more about AI technology, which is becoming a trend in the Cambodian market.

ChhingChhing once said, “In the future, I want to work in Phnom Penh.” Now she is fulfilling that dream, gaining valuable experience as a graphic designer. She’s connecting with more and more people active in various fields, and we hope she continues to grow and deepen her experience. We fully support ChhingChhing's future endeavors. 🎉

Voluntuker spotlight | Dany

This month, we introduce Dany from REAN AAN, TukTuk's partner organisation, who hails from Pursat where TukTuk is active. Let's get to know her better!

What do you do at REAN AAN? In my startup, I take on multiple roles. As a Kids Content Lead, I oversee and review content to ensure it’s both engaging and educational for young audiences. Additionally, as the Partnership Lead, I collaborate with key partners like TukTuk and the Ministry of Education to create impactful initiatives. I also handle digital marketing, creating content such as parental advice videos and short topics related to kids, which help expand our reach and engage our audience on platforms like our Facebook page. These activities fuel my passion for helping others grow and learn.

What makes you happy at work? What I enjoy most about my job is seeing the content we create come to life on our app, knowing that it helps kids learn and grow. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts in crafting educational and fun content make a positive impact. I also enjoy collaborating with partners and being part of meaningful projects that contribute to the development of children and families. This combination of creativity, education, and partnership truly fuels my passion.

What do you think about the collaboration with TukTuk? The collaboration with TukTuk has been incredibly valuable. By sharing content and supporting each other, we’ve reached more children with high-quality educational materials. TukTuk’s resources for kindergarten teachers align perfectly with our mission, and together, we’re helping create a more enriching learning environment for young kids. It’s a partnership that not only strengthens both organisations but also benefits the communities we serve.

What are your expectations for the future of education in Cambodia? Education in Cambodia has faced numerous challenges, from limited resources to accessibility issues, particularly in rural areas. However, there is immense hope for the future. Initiatives led by both the government and private organizations are working to improve the quality of education, provide better training for teachers, and expand access to learning materials. Partnerships with local and international organizations play a key role in driving this progress. Digital platforms and technology are opening new avenues for learning, especially for children who may not otherwise have access to formal education. The hope lies in the resilience of the Cambodian people and the growing recognition of education’s critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty. With continued efforts, we can build a stronger education system that empowers the next generation, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Dany has previously worked as a primary school teacher and is deeply passionate about improving the quality of education in Cambodia, which was evident in our interview. We were thrilled to hear about her desire to collaborate with TukTuk, and it made us reflect on the importance of connecting with various organisations as we continue our activities.

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 ⇢

Tuktography highlights 📸