By Sokuncharya Kak | Grants Program Manager
The Community Mural Project was funded as part of the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (EYAA) Program. EYAA - launched in conjunction with the ASEAN Day on 8 August 2018 - is a collaborative program by the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation dedicated to empowering youth and communities across the region. The Community Mural Project aimed to engage youth and encourage participation to improve their own communities while connecting with other cultures. The project took place at CCF’s second kindergarten, which serves vulnerable children living with families on the south side of the former Steung Meanchey garbage dump.
A 60-meter wall at the CCF kindergarten, which opened in late 2022, needed painting to create a more child-friendly environment for young students and enhance the area's overall appearance. 10 students (8 female) from CCF and 10 youth (8 female) from ASEAN countries collaborated with Sean Duffell, a professional mural artist from New Zealand, for the art project in Steung Meanchey. Sean held a design workshop with the 20 youths to brainstorm ideas and themes for the kindergarten mural. The kindergarten students also gave their own fun creative input, some of which was included in the design. The final concept featured the 10 ASEAN countries, incorporating their flags, native animals and fruits, and national landmarks and icons, painted in cartoon style. Handprints were added from kindergarten students and all the youth who took part. Aerosol spray paints and exterior house paint were used to create the mural. Their effort has seen a drab, grey wall transformed at CCF Yeo's Kindergarten into an amazing stretch of eye-catching vibrant colors and designs, creating a bright and beautiful backdrop for hundreds of CCF kindergarten and primary school students and children surrounding the community at playtime.
A stunning giant wall mural designed and painted by youth has transformed a kindergarten school in one of the most impoverished communities in Phnom Penh. The mural will be enjoyed by those children for years to come and provide a lasting legacy of the regeneration of the Steung Meanchey area. Being part of the project has instilled a sense of pride in their area for the CCF students who helped create it.
As well as receiving art education from a professional artist, CCF students who do not have the chance to travel overseas were able to connect with youth from different countries. “It’s been special to meet them and learn more about other ASEAN countries,” said CCF female student Sreynith, 19, in Grade 11. “The best part has been meeting others. All our ideas have come together; everyone has contributed something.”
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