Empower 2,000 Cambodian Kids Through Sport

In rural Cambodia, access to quality education and safe spaces for play remains a daily challenge. For many children in the Siem Reap province, the day begins long before the school bell rings, often involving hours of labor in emerald rice paddies under a humid sun. Physical education is frequently overlooked due to a lack of facilities or the seasonal floods that wash away safe ground.

Through the Globalteer Sports Programme, we aim to bridge this gap. Between October and December 2025 and January 2026, we have achieved historic milestones, using sport as a tool to promote physical fitness while strengthening life skills for 1,982 children across our partner communities. This quarter has been defined by one mission: ensuring that poverty and geography are no longer barriers to a child’s right to play.

New Facilities and Infrastructure: This period marked a turning point for our infrastructure. The construction of our new community sports field, located near the Helping Hands School, has reached 90% completion. This 15,000-square-meter complex transformed from former rice paddies.

At this final stage, local residents already have begun using the space in the evenings, turning it into a true community hub. Furthermore, in November, we finalized the installation of playground equipment at seven partner schools (Laberk, Kok Pnov, Peam, Ta Kam, Prasat Char, Neam Rub, and Ta Snae). Each school received roundabouts, a slide, and pull-up bars. As one headteacher shared: “The new playground has made our students happier and more active; they now have a dedicated space to thrive and grow.”

In mid of December, we organized a environmental stewardship directly into the playing field through our "Recycle Race" activity. This high-energy event is designed to teach students the critical importance of proper waste management through the power of play. As they raced across the field, students practiced sorting different types of waste into the correct bins, learning to avoid littering and take pride in keeping their school grounds clean. By turning a vital environmental lesson into a competitive game, we are fostering a new generation of environmental protectors who understand that a healthy life begins with a healthy enviroment. 

Strategic Mobility: To connect these new facilities with children living in remote areas, we successfully acquired a Toyota Coaster minibus (26-30 passenger capacity) during this quarter. This bus is specifically prepared for the rigors of rural Cambodia. With the engine power to overcome the deep mud and floods of the monsoon season, it ensures children are transported safely and efficiently. During this period, the bus became a symbol of opportunity, signaling to the students that their workday in the fields has ended and their time to be children has begun.

Throughout the final months of the year a unique wave of energy and anticipation took hold across our partner schools as students began their dedicated preparation for theTemple Run. This period was defined by  training sessions where our coaches focused on more than just physical effort; they cultivated discipline and a deep sense of team pride. Whether practicing sprints on the school grounds or engaging in endurance drills, the students’ performance has shown remarkable improvement. Beyond the physical progress, the level of enthusiasm is truly inspiring.

Student Stories:

Channary,  A student at one of our partner schools, loves the jumping exercises in her sports class. For her, the programme is a vital mental break from her daily responsibilities. It’s a space where she can laugh with friends and feel proud of her physical progress.

Vannak has discovered a passion for football. He dreams of becoming a coach one day to help other kids play just like him. “I like learning new things every week,” he says. For Vannak, the sessions provided during these months have given him a sense of discipline and direction he didn't have before.

You are the reason we can offer a safe sanctuary away from the fields and the floods. Your support goes far beyond providing sports equipment; it builds trust within local families who, despite demanding agricultural routines, choose to prioritize their children’s play and education. Together, we are doing more than teaching games, we are opening pathways of hope for nearly 2,000 families in Cambodia. Thank you for being the foundation of every smile on the field.

While we celebrate these successes, challenges remain. As we move into the next quarter, we aim to expand our reach to the Reul Commune, targeting an additional 2,000 students. To do this, we will continue to rely on the support of people like you. Every donation translates into a safe space, a seat on our bus, and a brighter future for a child in Siem Reap.

Sports with a Purpose

In rural Cambodia, access to quality education and safe spaces for play remains a daily challenge. Many children face barriers such as poverty, long travel distances to school, and limited infrastructure for learning and recreation. Physical education is often overlooked due to a lack of facilities or trained teachers, yet it plays a vital role in children’s health, confidence, and teamwork. Through Globalteer’s Sports program, we aim to bridge this gap, using sports as a tool not only to promote physical fitness but also to strengthen life skills, encourage equality, and build brighter futures for more than 2,000 children across Siem Reap’s rural communities

This quarter, our coaches introduced a creative new approach, linking sports with social learning. Classes focused not only on health and physical skills but also on environmental protection, equality, and fairness.
One of the most popular activities this period, has been the “Recycling Relay”, where students collect and sort recyclable materials in a fast-paced, fun race. It’s become a favorite among students and has inspired them to keep their school grounds clean and free of plastic waste.

Basketball has also taken center stage this term. Our coaches have been running passing and shooting drills and organizing small team games that have greatly improved coordination and teamwork. Students are showing growing enthusiasm, and coaches continue to demonstrate creativity and dedication in every session.

In total, our program now operates across:

• 7 schools (Helping Hands, Laberk, Neam Rub, Kok Pnov, Peam, Ta Snae, Ta Kam)
• 2,000 children participating regularly
• 7 coaches
• 1 volunteer delivering structured sessions each week

Two leadership workshops were also conducted, helping students explore communication, collaboration, and self confidence skills that extend well beyond the playing field.

Student Stories

Rachana, a student at one of our partner schools, loves everything about her sports class, especially the Jumping Exercise, which she says takes lots of energy but is always fun. For her, the program is much more than just games; it’s about staying active, laughing with friends, and feeling proud of what she can achieve. Sports give her not only a healthy way to move and grow, but also a chance to develop social skills, build confidence, and enjoy a valuable mental break that supports her overall development.

Reaksmey has discovered a true passion for football. His favorite moments are when the coaches introduce new drills or organize small matches where he can test his skills. “I like learning new things every week,” he says. “I want to be a coach one day so I can help other kids play like me.” Today, Reaksmey feels more motivated than ever, working hard to improve, stay disciplined, and pursue his dream of becoming a coach. This sense of purpose gives him direction and inspires him to keep learning and growing every day.

Stories like these remind us that sport can be a powerful gateway to selfconfidence and belonging.

New Facilities and Infrastructure

This has been an exciting time for the construction of our new community sports field, located near Helping Hands School. The project is now 80% complete, featuring:

• A full-size football pitch
• Volleyball courts
• A fitness playground
• Toilets, storage, and changing room buildings
• A kitchen and clean water system

Many local residents have already begun using the space in the evenings for exercise, showing how this new facility is quickly becoming a true community hub.

In addition, playground equipment was installed at all seven partner schools, including Prasat Char Primary School. Each school received two roundabouts, one slide, and one set of pull-up bars, giving children more opportunities for safe, active play during their free time.

One headteacher shared: “The new playground has made our students happier and more active. They play together every day, and the teachers also use the space for team activities and morning exercise.”
This improvement has brought a positive change to the schools, children now have more opportunities to play, interact, and enjoy recreational moments together. Beyond supporting their physical development, it has also fostered new social dynamics within the school and encouraged creativity through play.

Looking Ahead: Temple Run 2026

We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming Temple Run 2026, an exciting fundraising event set against the breathtaking backdrop of Angkor’s ancient temples. Students and teachers are already buzzing with excitement for this new edition! This year, our dedicated Helping Hands teachers are preparing to take part in the Angkor Half Marathon this December, not only to challenge themselves but also to raise vital funds for our school and students. For many of them, it will be their very first marathon!

Organized by Globalteer, the Temple Run brings together runners from around the world to support education and sports programs in Cambodia. Even if you’re not running, you can still make a difference by sponsoring a team of students running for causes like sports, education, health, literacy, or teaching. Every mile counts, you can help us raise funds and smiles for children in Cambodia.

All proceeds from the event will go toward initiatives like this one, helping more children access structured physical education, safe spaces to play, and opportunities to build teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

To learn more or get involved, visit:
Temple Run 2026 – Globalteer

Challenges and Next Steps

Like many community programs, our biggest challenges remain space and staff capacity. Some schools still have limited play areas, and our team must carefully coordinate sessions to make sure every class gets a turn. As our program continues to grow, we’ll need additional coaching staff to ensure the same high-quality experience for all students.

Despite these logistical challenges, the enthusiasm from children, parents, and teachers continues to fuel our progress. With your support, we are creating a sustainable, inclusive program that uses sport as a tool for empowerment, education, and community pride.