Volunteer and PSDG Program Manager Chee Ming established the technology enablement and guided the development team on this journey to the new, digital way of learning.  During the pilot the team quickly realized that their assumption about the children’s exposure to technologies needed to be recalibrated.  Chee Ming explained, “We were able to make adjustments to the e-learning delivery approach and content as we progressed.  Additionally, as the SSA digital school required our team to develop the e-learning content from the ground up, we have had to constantly revisit, adjust, and fine tune the content on the fly as they were being developed.

As with any new idea being introduced to children, for the idea to be successful the children need to buy into what’s being offered to them.  Student Reurn is in Grade 8 and she likes e-learning very much and is excited to be learning basic computer skills.  In the classroom she takes time to understand and listen to the teacher.  Reurn shared, “I come to e-learning regularly because I don’t want to miss the lessons.  I think it’s very important for me.  It will help me when I start work.” ​Grade 7 student, Koun, said it is taking him a little longer to understand e-learning.  He believes e-learning is important and likes this new way of learning.  Koun said, “I am very happy with having the basic knowledge of the computer.  I’m always excited for the next e-learning class.”

Hearing the excitement from the students is sure to make Chee Ming and the Learning & Development team very proud!  What started as a group of strangers has quickly turned into a strong team, bonded by a common goal to provide better, quality education to the deserving community through our Smart School Anywhere program.  Chee Ming expressed, “I am extremely proud of the team, always working together as a team, putting in the extra effort for the benefits of the children.”

The pandemic also heightened the already existing education inequities in rural, poverty stricken communities.  There was no more looking the other way and the time is now to bridge this gap!  The Minister of Education, Hang Chuon Naron remarked that it’s time for the new generation of teachers and educators to work together to develop learning that focuses on problem solving and apply modern technologies and devices. He further said, “Qualified teachers today must guide students using a wide range of 21st century methodology so students can conduct research, give presentations, and work on group projects.  He continued, “Of course, teachers alone cannot bring reform into the real world, management must also do its part, while we also need investing partners and support from the government.” ​

Student Dara was also thrilled to be chosen to participate in digital school and happily shared, “I feel more excited to touch the real computer.  I can understand every point that the teacher explained very well!”  Student Kosal, whose dream is to be a policeman when he grows up, said, “I feel very excited and happy to learn with the real computer.  I like to learn computer so much because it will be useful for my future job.” Roberta wrapped up her thoughts from the development side of Digital School and expressed, “Digital School has been over a year in the making and I’m very excited for this launch.  A tremendous amount of attentive thought, learning and effort has come together from the team of local and international volunteers.”   She continued, “My hope is for the students to grow in their awareness of learning through a digital platform, and that these experiences will form the groundwork to launch them onto new pathways for their future.”​

Stage 1 of Smart School Anywhere is launching a Mobile School, bringing digital learning to Secondary Schools in rural Cambodia. The Mobile School is nearing its launch! With the help of a very determined tuk tuk, children in the villages will have digital education resources brought to them.    Speaking of the tuk tuk; a local tuk tuk driver wanted to donate his “retired” (and very broken) tuk tuk to us.  Our Founder & CEO Victoria, accepted the driver’s kind donation and worked with teacher Kimsong to find a local repairer to convert the once passenger tuk tuk into a carriage / classroom.    Teacher Kimsong shared, “Because the tuk tuk was so broken, it took a month to repair, replacing many parts, right down to the wheels.”

Vata expressed how he had to keep these things in mind while bringing his programming ideas to the table and shared, “Yes, of course in these types of projects there are lots of challenges and things we need to bear in mind when creating a program, the first one being the user experience, then we have the language barriers and finally the content to be aligned with the Ministry of Education. How to overcome these is with two simple words: creativity and adaptability.”   The Mobile School pilot is scheduled to go live on 21 Feb and it will be at Chea Smonn secondary school.

The first stage of SSA is to deploy a mobile classroom (tuk-tuking around) to help children in the villages with their digital learning.  In fact, the team has been working hard since June 2021 under the leadership of Chee Ming, our SSA Program Manager.    Chee Ming was introduced to PeopleStories via a common friend who knows our Founder & CEO Victoria. His main role is the program management and infrastructure, tech and tools function.      Like many other volunteers who came onboard, Chee Ming is not new to volunteering. His volunteer work is usually one-time and activity based like helping to deliver and set up PCs for the underprivileged and facilitating zoo visits for children with special needs.  What makes Chee Ming decide to take the plunge to help with PeopleStories work, which requires continuous efforts on a long-term basis? ​

Chee Ming elaborated earnestly, “Checking in and engaging in open conversations with team members and not hesitating to ask for help make the process an invigorating one.  I am fortunate to have Victoria, who has been coaching me along the way.  I continue to research and find ways to constructively contribute to the team even if it is outside of my domain knowledge.”    With such a heavy responsibility, what is Chee Ming’s secret to striking a balance between the various commitments?  He emphasized, “I need to first recognise and internalise the accountability and responsibility of being a volunteer in SSA.  Then I incorporate the SSA time commitment in the daily work schedule such that it forms part of the daily work cycle.”    What is fulfilling about working with the SSA team? Chee Ming said fervently, “The ability to make a difference in educating the underprivileged children, no matter how big or small. The ability to give back to society in general.” ​​

Read more about SSA

Our founder Victoria shared the idea origination of SSA, “When schools have to close due to Covid-19 back in 2020, we as a team started mapping out steps to ensure learning doesn’t stop for the children in rural Cambodia.”      At a meeting on September 18, 2021, Director Tann Reangsey from the Ministry together with some of our partner school directors made an agreement to partner with PeopleStories to implement SSA in Bakong District.  Director Reangsey shared, “I am very proud of what PeopleStories has achieved in the Bakong District, especially during the COVID-19 period in the past 2 years.  Without the support from PeopleStories since 2017, many students would not be supported or have access to education.”   ​

Director Reangsey also shared with much excitement, “One thing we (the Ministry) value a lot about working with PeopleStories is our ‘Common Goal’ which is to help our children to gain a better future through education.  I really enjoy our open, honest and understanding relationship.  I have had conversations with Ms Victoria where she repeatedly understand our needs and recognized our difficulties.  She is willing to comprise for a mutually beneficial decision.  This is truly working together and sharing the same dream.”      Something good has come out from the unfortunate school closure.  It has accelerated the digital learning for our students.  In fact, over the last few months, we have shared some success stories of our students thriving in the digital age despite the stumbling blocks. Have a read of these inspiring stories from students SreyMey, Sambath, Pokim and Bunsao. ​