The Steve Sinnott Foundation Response to COVID-19 Crises in Phnom Penh
Nicola Palairet is the Partnership Development Director for Flame and
has been working in Phnom Penh for more than five years now.
Life for the marginalised families living in Phnom Penh’s slum
communities is tenuous at the best of times. Flame staff identify
families whose children are unable to attend school because of
financial pressure. We give these children the opportunity to go to
school. For many it’s not just a chance for education, it’s a radical
change in their life’s trajectory. Without it, these children would
be unable to break out of the cycle of poverty. SSF and Flame are
partnering to make a difference in their lives.
While official cases of COVID have been remarkably low in Cambodia,
closing borders and the overall shrinking of the economy has led to
massive losses in the tourism and hospitality sectors. COVID-19 has
increased stress and financial hardship significantly. For some, there
has been the threat of homelessness; for others, a decrease in daily
wages has impacted the ability to put food on the table. Incomes
for those ‘at risk’ is so low that hunger was already a serious issue
pre-COVID. So, even when a family recognises the importance of
education, food is the first priority – and school takes second place.
Many children have a deep desire to learn in school but are prohibited
by the financial strain on their families. We have sought to address this.
Children who in the past have had to work to support their families
or provide care for younger siblings are now regulars in school and
attend the Flame After School Centres daily where they laugh and
learn, as well as get a nutritious snack and have their own toothbrush!
There are computer classes for the older kids and daily literacy and
numeracy lessons for each child. The centres are clean and bright, and
the teachers who have also come from hard backgrounds, appreciate
the challenges of education for these young kids. They know exactly
what it’s like to face huge obstacles and overcome them. This is what
we call ‘The Full Circle’.
As a young child, one of the children in our program, Sokea, walked
the streets with a huge plastic sack of recycled bottles on his back.
His recycling work to support his family left him no time for school. At
home, his dad was on a small daily wage as a motorbike taxi-driver and
his mother was bedridden. When we first met him at 9 years old, he
told us that he would love to attend school. He had previously been in
school but had to drop out to support his family.
We visited his parents
and asked permission for Sokea to attend public school and our After
School Centre. We said we would supplement the family for the loss of
Sokea’s income and they agreed. When finances were tight, however,
his family continued to send him out to collect plastic, but this is
often part of the transition from working to education. The family and
Sokea understood the importance of regular school attendance but
making school a daily priority was hard.
Sokea has now enrolled at the University of Management to study law. He works part time for Flame
and is a kind and conscientious guy who actively comes alongside
other kids and encourages them to stay in school.
You can read more
about Sokea on the Flame website:
www.flamecambodia.org/blog/sokea-from-collecting-plasticbottles-
to-university21/1/2021.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation has partnered with Flame to support
children of the urban poor in Phnom Penh who struggle to access
education. SSF has provided school supplies for 250 children.
From Engage edition 22.
Nicola Palairet • July 12, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
