Changing kids' lives with hip hop, education & art

Thank you to all Tiny Toones supporters,

Our last three months have been really encouraging. We have felt so much love and support wiithin Cambodia and from abroad. Our Tiny Toones graduate, 'Bboy Fresh' put together a local fundraiser in Khmer for the centre, using his newly acquired skills as a video editor and promoter and his connections with local influencers. Whilst of course, the money is greatly appreciated, what we love most is how our alumni care for us. They remember their roots and what Tiny Toones did for them and only hope to pay it forward to the next generation of kids at the centre. It makes us very proud that 'our kids', now all grown up, continue the cycle of giving back. 

Visitors have also started returning to the centre, whether it be school group visits from abroad (last month from Melbourne Australia), groups of dancers or international media. Most recently NHK World-Japan News visted Tiny Toones and aired a beautifully put together 30-minute program on the centre (in English), called 'Cambodia's Hip-hop School for Children.' They interview KK, alumni rapper Sang Sok Serey, alumni and rap teacher Vouich, alumni and care-taker Frog and the next generation of kids. We are sharing the footage with you today and although it is a reminder of how tough life can really be for some of our precious children in the streets, it is also a story of hope, empowerment, family, passion and fulfilling dreams. We thank the Japan team for their compassion, time and commitment to supporting Tiny Toones. 

With your continued support we hope to keep growing as a centre and keep the dreams of these young people alive.

Love and Respect,

The Tiny Toones family.

Links:

• NHK World - Cambodia's Hip-hop School for Children

Thank you to all Tiny Toones supporters

As you will probably have seen on our social media pages, the last few months have been difficult for us. Funding has been challenging for some years now, a situation certainly exacerbated by the pandemic and the rapid rise in the cost of living around the world. For the first time since we were founded we had to briefly close in March, a heartbreaking experience.

However, many of you jumped in and donated, helping us raise $9,000. While we still have to raise a lot more money this year, your contribution helped greatly to keep us going and to re-open on April 1st with renewed drive and in a slightly better place financially. A 100 kids continue to come to our centre every day, receiving education, creative guidance, and a safe haven.

Whilst we are not out of the woods yet, your kindness has allowed us some breathing space. We will continue the hard work and with your support hope to continue providing support to some of Cambodia’s most disadvantaged children for a long time to come. We are constantly looking for new ideas, new volunteers and new inspiration to keep the centre vibrant and an exciting place to work and be a student.

The most exciting moment came with the very recent South East Asian Games held here in Phnom Penh. Several of our students and former students performed at the games, led by the amazing Sang Sok Serey (pictured here onstage at the Olympic Stadium in front of a sold out crowd). We were incredibly proud and even more determined to keep providing students with the early encouragement and learning that later blossoms into triumphs like this.

With love and Respect,

The Tiny Toones Family.