By Rodrigo Pereyra | Fundraising Officer
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.
By Rodrigo Pereyra Jemio | Fundraising Officer
By Jim Elliott | Project Leader
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