Aid Program Report 2002 As in 2001, the assistance from Think the Earth Project used towards the "Rainbow Project" implemented between Cambodia and Japan. From 1975 to 1979, the Pol Pot regime prohibited the existence of schools, thus many teachers were executed in Cambodia and until this day, the nation faces shortage of teachers. Moreover, the importance of school education has not been sufficiently recognized by families in Cambodia; although school enrollment is high at 87%, because families are poverty stricken and would like to have their children help with chores at home or work for an income, children at times may withdraw from schools accommodating the requests of their parents. The dropout ratio of girls from schools seems to be especially high. In order to alleviate this situation and to teach children the pleasure of drawing or the joy of going to school, Care Japan has implemented the "Rainbow Project." Through the exchange of drawings among children in grade schools and junior high schools in Japan and Cambodia, Care Japan aims to promote understanding of different cultures and international exchange. There also seems to be a high demand among teachers to receive instruction on teaching children about art. The areas encompassed in this project include the Luk Dek District of Kandar, Cambodia. The "Rainbow Project" is implemented in conjunction with the Girls' Education Project (renamed as Girls' Scholarship Project in 2001) established in 1997. 2002 Performance Providing Stationary and Drawing Tools from Japan Calling upon the participating schools for the Rainbow Project in 2001, and including inquiries from grade schools and junior high schools, organizations and individuals in Japan, this year, Care Japan were able to have the participation of 138 schools, organizations, and individuals, approximately equal to that of last year (140 schools), half of which were new to the program. 256 "rainbow" boxes, containing 53,179 pencils, 10,028 notebooks, 8,285 color pencils, and 8,811 crayons were sent to 14 grade schools and 3 junior high schools in Cambodia. Despite the improvement of the educational situation year after year, the lack of school supplies remains to be one of the grave problems Cambodia faces. Providing school supplies helps mitigate the burden on local families and makes attending school easier for children. Art Workshop From April 1 to April 4, 2003, an art workshop was conducted at the Prek Dach Primary School in the Luk Dek District. Some 425 students and 40 teachers from the peripheral area participated in this event. More and more teachers are beginning to participate in this workshop so that they may prepare a framework for instructing students independently. Yet, immediately preceding the workshop, military operation in Iraq began and SARS broke out concurrently at that time, thus, staff members from Care Japan and Care Cambodia conducted the workshop as instructors. Until now, the classes in Cambodia were taught one-sidedly by teachers, thus the workshop where teachers and students alike have fun is proving to be a very good experience for both groups. This project which has been implemented since the year 2000 is surely disseminating. Even when staff members from Japan are not present, classes are being conducted independently using not only paint, but resources found nearby such as grass and soy beans. Exchange of Artwork of Students in Japan and Cambodia 1230 pieces of artwork from students in Japan were exhibited at schools in Cambodia; 1355 pieces of artwork were sent to Japan from Cambodia accompanied by a letter. Aside from the exchange of artwork, in Japan, lectures are being held by staff members of Care Japan. Such activities provide opportunities to reevaluate "aid" so that it is not a unilateral one from a developed nation to a developing nation, but one such that reflects an understanding for the other nation. Furthermore, such activities provide opportunities to reexamine the students' daily lives. Future Issues To enable as many children to participate as possible This program is conducted in the Luk Dek District region which is located alongside the Mekong River, a thin strip of land running North to South for 70 kilometers. 23 grade schools and junior high schools are located in this region. The program is conducted centrally from Prek Dach Primary School which is located in the center of this region. Some schools located 20 to 30 kilometers from this school lack methods of transportation; they cannot receive the "rainbow" boxes from Japan, neither can they participate in the workshops. Children who have participated in the workshop merely compose 4% of all children in that region. There are ongoing discussions in order to conduct workshops with teachers, have art classes take place at schools, and to allow as many students to participate as possible. Expanding Workshops for Teachers In order to respond to the strong requests of the local teachers to acquire the means to independently instruct the students, workshops for teachers will be broadened. Research of the Responses of Local Children, Teachers, Parents, and Effect of the Program We will conduct a hearing in conjunction to the program regarding (1) How the enrollment rate and advancement rate to higher education is increasing and (2) How the parents, who have the strongest effect on the children's education recognize this program. Moreover, to reinforce our activities, we will carry out a survey on how to augment the activities in Japan. New Development We received a proposal for establishing a "Cultural Learning Center" within the school property from the principal of Prek Dach Primary School Grade School where the workshop was conducted. If realized, it will become the center for regional activities. Voices of the Children from the Workshop Sary Srainich Phunthmey Primary School, Third Grade At my school, we didn't have art classes until the Rainbow Project began, but now, we have art classes once a week. I love my art class, and I very much enjoyed my class today; it was fun to use paint to make paintings. (Summarized) My dream is to become a teacher. I want to become a teacher and make it possible for the children in the village to study. Phun Somaray Prek Dach Primary School, Fourth Grade Today was a lot of fun. At my school, we have many art classes and they're great. (Summarized) I want to be a teacher someday and I want to teach boys and girls how to read. Everyone in Japan, please come visit Cambodia! 2002 Rainbow Project - Project Expenses JPY 4,536,095- Of which the management fee was JPY 1,657,986. Management fee includes: staff compensation, legal welfare expenses, telephone expenses (domestic), portion of the office maintenance fee (rent, utilities). Activities at a Glance Handing out of rainbow boxes full of stationary from Care staff, Mr. Tamakuma to a teacher. Teachers' workshop. Approximately 40 teachers participated. Children, absorbed in the task The yellow portion of this dimensional artwork is made from dried corn. >>> Back to "CARE Japan" page