STEM Innovation for Impoverished Children in Cambodia

CCF enhances its innovative development model by building a world class STEM academy in the slums of Phnom Penh. This facility provides free access to experiential learning for impoverished children in these communities. The facility provides access to digital literacy, computer science, robotics, media production, plus fully functioning science laboratories.

The Cambodian public school system is critically under resourced, science and technology teaching and equipment are lacking or non existent.

In 2014, only 3% of post-secondary school graduates were from technical / vocational fields such as agriculture and engineering. Similarly, less than 6% of Cambodian university students were enrolled in scientific majors such as biology or engineering.  

The children we work with live in extreme poverty; stuck in child labor without access to food, clean water, healthcare or secure accommodation. Children are often trapped, having to work on meager incomes to supplement family budgets or look after family members.

70% of the first 200 CCF students in 2004 are now at university. Later this year, the first cohort of graduates will have completed.

In 2016, 76% of CCF's tertiary-education-age girls were enrolled in university compared to a national average of 17%.

CCF has learned that providing children free access to quality education has to be part of an integrated community based model wherein families are provided security and stability. In return, families agree to sending children to school, no child labor and the domestic environment is violence and drug free.

Our 400-student STEM school is located in one of the most destitute communities within the region, providing education for the poorest of Cambodia’s children. 

The STEM education is deployed by ensuring the most neglected 1,600 children are enrolled in one of our six schools located within the slums where they live, also ensuring they have food, housing and security to successfully maintain attendance at school. 

It will improve their analytical, reasoning skills as they connect ideas and solve problems – the basis of STEM skills - creating a pathway out of poverty, providing economic opportunities for those deemed ‘unreachable’ by ordinary interventions.

-Active engagement and focus in STEM learning activities (350 students are active in 145 hours each, attendance records).

-Pursuit of out-of-school-time STEM learning opportunities Attended STEM festivals)

- Students develop interest in STEM and STEM learning activities

- Ability to productively engage in STEM processes of investigation

-Demonstration of an understanding of STEM methods of investigation.

- Demonstration of mastery of technologies and tools that can assist in STEM investigations.

- Annually 350 students develop capacities to productively engage in STEM learning activities.

- Awareness of STEM professions

- Development of an understanding of STEM careers related to different fields of study (50% indicate intention of pursing higher education majoring in areas such as applied sciences, civil engineering, IT or agriculture). - 90% of students value the goal of STEM and STEM learning activities.

CCF provides an integrated solution for impoverished communities with a 20-year promise of a full tertiary education. We provide a comprehensive and integrated social model that removes the barriers to education and encourages students to fulfill their potential by creating a culture of hope and belief in each child.

There is no other facility like CCF’s STEM academy in Cambodia. It is the newest addition to the model providing students with skills and expertise required in the current world and the future.

CCF’s WISE Award winning model offers transformational education focusing on critical disciplines not accessible in the public system.

CCF’s values are based on community development from the inside out. Our education and community projects are created by speaking to those in need, listening to tragic stories of life in extreme poverty, understanding the culture and people who endure daily existence on less than $1 per day. 

Our decision-making is happening from within the community (thus, so are our schools), surrounded by the beneficiaries - the majority garbage scavengers. This creates a level of awareness and responsiveness that is very efficient, effective and unique. In doing so, CCF is able to direct solutions precisely at the heart of the issues.

CCF’s students live in slums surrounding the former municipal dump. A destination for families who have fallen off the social and economic ladder. Many of these families suffer from malnutrition and disease brought on by living in utmost squalor, without access to basic hygiene, potable water and proper housing.

CCF provides free services in the community for our beneficiaries who are excluded from basic public services and infrastructure. 

CCF’s unique approach puts technology in the hands of the ‘forgotten’ children by building customizable solutions around them that are responsive to their needs.

Capital costs for CCF’s new STEM school were provided by Velcro Companies. The school is an integral part of the CCF model and operating costs are funded through general revenues. The facility generates opportunities for corporate partnerships invested in social performance, accountability and transparency. The increase in highly educated graduates generates local economic advancements, bridging the gap to international markets.

 The 2017, revenue streams include 25% from Child Sponsorship, 17% Individual Donors, 18% Corporate Partnerships, 15% Foundations and 25% from sources such as fundraising events.

 Nearly two-thirds of eligible students are sponsored in CCF’s one-to-one child sponsorship program with continued growth in new sponsors every year. Our child sponsorship program has provided a consistent and growing income stream since commencing in 2004.

 We have approximately 10,000 supporters worldwide; many are individuals who are child sponsors or regular givers. Our growing supporter demographic spreads across all income types and ages.

Access to local teachers and trainers who are experienced and qualified to teach the sciences and technology within an international standard setting is limited. As these resources and project based learning activities have never been provided by the public school system there are not yet very many Cambodian teachers with the knowledge and skills to deliver the curriculum to its fullest capacity. 

We are addressing this issue by building partnerships with international institutions in developed countries that can assist with expertise and training of teachers - MIT and Atlassian being partners we're keen to work with.

https://youtu.be/C2EHRJl58xM?list=PLwf-O5ukh6k6Mc3GMEMyGpjtrtvh3GmGl

https://youtu.be/298yu-AM9-Q?list=PLwf-O5ukh6k6Mc3GMEMyGpjtrtvh3GmGl

https://youtu.be/GP4O97J6ZQ4

CCF has created a powerful and effective mechanism for poverty reduction and community development, producing a young generation of leaders with the belief, skills and knowledge to break the cycles of poverty and to build a better future for themselves, their families and their country.

 Our model and STEM academy is a one of a kind in Cambodia and we would like to extend the model further in Cambodia through replication and support. This could then be taken to other parts of S.E. Asia, or globally, where impoverished communities exist.

Education Partners include Funding, Programs and Training:

• Funding-
  • Velcro Companies
  • Cripps Foundation
  • iHerb
  • Global Development Group
  • Stone Family Foundation

• Program-
  • Universities and Schools in Cambodia
  • Cambodian businesses/employers

• Training-
  • Australian Center for Education
  • Hong Kong University of Technology
  • Trinity College
  • Christchurch Grammar School
  • St. Mary’s Grammar School
  
  

  

None - CCF works collaboratively with local organizations and international funding entities.