Update from the Cambodia Project: Nurturing Creativity in Takeo
Written By: Yuka Takahashi
On March 30, 2025, WFWP Cambodia staff visited children supported through the Cambodia Project in Takeo Province, a rural region where educational opportunities are still limited — especially in Kirivong district, near the Cambodian border. This project has been made possible through the ongoing partnership between WFWP New Jersey and generous donors, who have supported students in Cambodia since 2015.
This year, we were happy to welcome 19 new students, bringing the total number of children supported in the Takeo and Kirivong districts to 73.
One highlight of this visit was a creative writing program. Each child randomly selected word cards from a "word bank" and used them to build sentences freely with their imagination. For example, if they picked the words “sad” and “shiny,” they were encouraged to form a sentence or even a paragraph incorporating both.
It became clear that many of our students, particularly those in early junior high school, struggle with writing. Although they continue through the grades, they often have little exposure to creative expression. We believe that fostering creativity will help lead them toward more meaningful and enriched lives.
For many, this program was their first experience with imaginative writing, and while it was unexpected, they embraced the challenge. At the end, each student contributed one sentence to a collective group story. The task required them to use creativity to form a coherent narrative, rather than simply stringing the sentences together. The elementary and junior high school students gave it their best, while the high school students impressed us with their humor and storytelling skills.
In the Takeo district, we also introduced an arts and crafts activity. While the children had previously done paper folding and cutting, this time they created pictures using bookmark-sized paper. This more detailed work was new to many of them — some had rarely used glue before. Nevertheless, each child produced a unique piece of art, expressing themselves through favorite colors and imagined landscapes.
These moments remind me of how vital these small but significant experiences are for the children. Thank you again to everyone who continues to support the Cambodia Project — your kindness is helping to shape young minds and hearts.
Click here for more information on the project!