Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we close the doors on 2025, we look back at a year defined by academic excellence, environmental stewardship, and the strengthening of our community bonds. Celebrating our 21st anniversary, The Global Child (TGC) continues to prove that with the right support, the children of Cambodia can reach for the stars.

Our milestones this year reflect the collective dedication of our staff, students, and donors.

The year began with a focus on broadening horizons. From the rice fields of Siem Reap to the ancient gates of Angkor, our students explored the world around them.

• Astronomy Lesson: Students used professional telescopes to observe Saturn, Venus, and Mars under the guidance of Teacher’s Tomek and Anna, bridging the gap in scientific exposure for rural youth.

• Environmental Resilience: 22 students cycled 26km to Ta Prohm for an immersive bird-watching lesson with the Cambodian Bird Guide Association (CBGA).

• Empowering Parents: 29 parents participated in “Nurturing a Good Life for Children,” a workshop at the American Corner Library focused on positive reinforcement and active listening.

• Academic Excellence: We celebrated Vireak, who earned a Grade “A” on his National Exam, and our Khmer teacher, Mr. Savy Chea, who took 1st place in the historic Angkor Dictation.

• Alumni Milestones: Congratulated Sreyneang Meang (Accounting) and Sokaom Touk on their university graduations, marking their transition into professional careers.

• Creative Arts: TGC students joined 2,000 participants in the Giant Puppet Parade, celebrating Cambodian culture through vibrant street art.

• Leadership in Education: Principal Dara and Mr. Soben presented research at the 21st CamTESOL Conference; Mr. Soben also celebrated earning his MA in English.

As the heat of the dry season arrived, we focused on traditional celebrations and the well-being of our students.

• Cultural Roots: Celebrated Khmer New Year with traditional ceremonies and an educational expedition to the ancient capital at Kulen Mountain, focusing on history and outdoor survival.

• 21st Anniversary: A milestone celebration showcasing student talents in Karate and music, featuring inspiring testimonials from returning alumni as a testament to our long-term mission.

• Student-Led Health Education: Our students took the lead as wellness advocates this quarter. Riya presented vital research on diabetes and heatstroke prevention, while alumnus Leanghour—now a medical student—joined via Zoom to educate the community on Hepatitis.

• Holistic Wellness & Life Skills: We prioritized the physical safety and confidence of our students through multiple avenues. Students mastered water safety and survival skills with help from volunteers Millie and Celia. The female students attended the 11th Women’s Period Day to normalize menstrual health and we held dedicated physical and mental health sessions for our boys.

• Sustainability: Our youngest learners in K5 spearheaded our “Green Campus” initiative. By using their weekly subsidies to invest in refillable water bottles, they are building lifelong habits to reduce plastic waste and protect Cambodia’s natural beauty. 

The monsoon season brought a wave of professional development and academic success.

• K11 Internships: Students launched professional journeys with two-month internships at Central Corner D’ Angkor, gaining essential “hard” and “soft” workplace skills.

• Facility Expansion: Welcomed Bill Taylor to tour the new multipurpose room, made possible through funding by the S.E. Asia Foundation and private donors, now a hub for learning, staff training, and parent engagement.

• Alumni Leadership: Architecture student Pengkong returned to volunteer, teaching foundational computer skills to our Grade 5 students every weekend.

• Scientific Discovery: Volunteer Ms. Nako led hands-on experiments in light theory and distillation, enhancing critical thinking through physics and chemistry.

• 100% Academic Success: Celebrated a perfect pass rate for the 2024-2025 year, with 41 students from Grades 5, 8, and K11 moving to the next grade.

• Trauma-Informed Care: Staff completed specialized training to support students navigating emotional challenges, strengthening TGC’s capacity for empathetic care.

• Mentoring Impact: Concluded our 2025 Mentorship Program for 131 students, ending with a community picnic at Bakong Temple to celebrate growth and bonds.

We ended the year by cementing our role as an educational leader in the region.

• School Opening 2025: Launched the academic year with 100 attendees, including education officials, reaffirming our commitment to equipping students with a “Positive Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge.”

• Global Inspiration: Guest speaker Ms. Vunn Sreynich (She-Can) empowered our female students to “dare to dream” of pursuing international university scholarships in the USA.

• Founder’s Visit: Our Co-Founder and Chairwoman, Judy Wheeler, spent a meaningful month at the school. Her time working with staff and students to map out their dreams was instrumental in planning for TGC’s bright future.

• Advocating for Safety: In addition to safety workshops with the Communal Police, our Grade 12 students joined the Women’s Resource Center for the 16-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children, standing up for a more just society.

• Alumni Success & Giving Back: The TGC family was inspired by returning leaders. Leanghour Luch (4th-year Medical Student) led a cardiovascular health seminar. Sreymom (English Major) shared her journey to encourage students to follow their dreams. Sopha Yat (Admin & HR Advisor in Phnom Penh) generously hosted the TGC staff for a special celebratory dinner.

• Environmental Stewardship: 150 students and environmentalists joined us for the Global Bird Festival, promoting conservation through bird races and creative workshops.

• ELT Forum 2025: TGC cemented its role as a regional leader by co-hosting 120 English language influencers and researchers in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and RUPP.

• Strategic Security: Successfully finalized a new 3-year MoU (2026–2028) with the Ministry of Social Affairs, securing our operations as one of Cambodia’s longest-standing NGO partners.

A Note of Gratitude

Every scholarship, every field trip, and every 100% pass rate is a result of your belief in our mission. Your contribution is the foundation of our success, helping us provide the tools these future leaders need to thrive.

“TGC is like my parents; without TGC, I wouldn’t be here today.” — Vireak, TGC Alumnus

With deepest gratitude,
The Global Child Team