Imagine: in Cambodia

In Cambodia, the majority of young children, especially in rural areas, miss out on early learning opportunities. To help tackle the problem, TNS is funding a UNICEF project that enables communities to set up and run their own community pre-schools – an important element in UNICEF’s efforts to rebuild communities in rural Cambodia.

In October 2007, we reached our three year fund raising target of US$388,000. TNS people have raised this money through a range of diverse and innovative fund raising activities, as well as direct donation. The energy and enthusiasm they have put into this task is a clear illustration of the passion that they also show in their work. Funds have also come from respondents to our research, who have generously donated their incentives to Imagine… .

The money will allow UNICEF to build 120 pre-school shelters. 47 have already been completed using TNS funds and they are proving to be more than just an educational facility; they are now acting as a centre for village activities and are attended by 1,175 children. UNICEF actively works with each community’s commune council, to identify how the shelters are built, taking on board local construction concerns and costs. TNS has provided $1,000 to each of 24 commune councils, to help them plan and manage the projects. The programme has also provided 899 community pre-school teachers with training and technical assistance.

An important element of TNS Imagine… is giving our employees an opportunity to see the project in action. In November, three TNS people selected for their contribution to local fund raising, witnessed firsthand the real difference that TNS is making, in equipping the next generation for the future. They met Peu Nom, the deputy village chief in Ang Kanh. She now has a dedicated site where she can teach the community’s children, which provides a symbol to the community of the importance of education. They saw that basic children’s rights, hygiene and sanitation are taught as part of the curriculum developed by UNICEF. This better understanding of hygiene and sanitation has reduced sickness and directly improved preschool and primary school attendance levels, as well as health in the village community as a whole.