By Dave Hewitt | Development Director
Tiny Toones education for all
By the start of October, with your support, almost 700 children had benefitted from Tiny Toones education classes this year.
The library class is one of our newest sessions and of late we’ve seen the kids really blooming as more and more of them actively try out reading for themselves for the first time. Just this last week a whole host of new books arrived in the Tiny Toones library, kindly donated by the Women’s International Group (WIG) of Cambodia. Included in the new library collection are books on oral hygiene and food safety which will help us kick-start efforts to educate the kids about the importance of staying healthy and looking after their teeth. Food safety and hygiene are two huge problems in Cambodia and yet sadly many people are not educated enough about their importance.
WIG also donated new desks, chairs and fans for the classrooms so the kids (and teachers) can stay cool during the daily hot weather in Cambodia. Along with the addition of the library class, we’ve also incorporated more math into our Khmer and English classes of late. In fact, we are now teaching more different subjects than ever before.
The computer class is a big hit with the kids who would have no access to information technology otherwise. They’re excited to learn how to type quickly and effectively. As for our English class, it’s hard to believe the confidence our kids exhibit when talking to foreigners who visit the centre. All of these classes and opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous donors who support the education and future of Cambodian young people.
Sok’s story
“I’m happy that I’m attending Tiny Toones and I want to learn more. I’ve made new friends and I’m much happier now. “
Sok is 13 and lives with his mother and five siblings in one of Phnom Penh’s poorest slums. His mother does general manual labor work for people in the community. Before he came to Tiny Toones, Sok would spend most of his time picking up recyclable goods around weddings and from trash bins to help the family raise some money. While those economic pressures still exist, now that he is coming to Tiny Toones he also has the opportunity to learn, to enjoy being creative and to spend some time just having fun with other children.
When asked about his ambitions, Sok says: “In the future I would like to work in a Bank.”
Help us support more kids like Sok by donating at our Global Giving page.
UNICEF Sport for Education Award
During September, Tiny Toones dance teacher Fresh spent a week in Philadelphia at the Beyond Sport Summit and Awards Ceremony. The awards are an annual celebration of organisations who support social development through sport and Tiny Toones was one of only three projects from around the globe to be shortlisted for the UNICEF Sport for Education Award for the second year running.
It was Fresh's first time traveling to another country alone and he returned with a wealth of new experiences (and new sneakers). Inspiring speakers at the event included Olympic athletes, professional sports players and Chris Waddell, the first man in the world to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair.
The award ceremony was held on the 11th of September and we were all waiting to hear the results with baited breath. Unfortunately, Tiny Toones didn't take first place but we would like to congratulate Skateistan, a very deserving organization doing amazing work in Afghanistan and Cambodia.
Looking to 2014
It’s unbelievable how the year has flown by but we are already looking to 2014 and how we keep Tiny Toones going for another year. Throughout September we were trying to raise desperately needed funds for Tiny Toones through our second annual Dance School Challenge. On September 21 we threw a party at Showbox with performances by the Tiny Toones kids, guest appearances from locally renowned artists MCG and Kosal Khiev, and an awesome dance battle, won by Diamond and Fresh!
The party helped us raise funds, the atmosphere was electric and everybody had a great time. You can check out great photos from the event here. We still desperately need to raise more money to keep Tiny Toones going and so we've extended the appeal. You can donate at our Global Giving page.
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