Connect to cambodia
Connect to Cambodia 2024
In July 2024, seven Irish teachers travelled to Cambodia on the Connect to Cambodia visit. The group spent three weeks in Siem Reap and Battambang provinces, meeting and sharing experiences with local teachers, school and community leaders, government officials and the SeeBeyondBorders Cambodia team. The Connect to Cambodia programme provides an opportunity to combine professional development, travel and volunteering while sharing the uniqueness of each other’s culture.
"Solidarity and connection between Cambodia and Ireland is very important for our organisation. We are delighted to welcome the Connect Teachers to Siem Reap. We are sure they are going to be a valuable resource for us here in Cambodia and when they return to Ireland''
The Connect to Cambodia programme encourages:
- Improvement in educational skill, knowledge, and confidence of SeeBeyondBorders staff, Cambodian teachers, education leaders and changemakers, through the exchange of experiences, ideas, and possibilities with international educators.
- Increased understanding about quality development practices, limitations with downstream development and white saviour approaches, and the importance of learning service over voluntourism in international participants.
- The development of an alumnus of international expertise with cultural experience that SeeBeyondBorders can utilise through a community of practise.
Meet the Connect to Cambodia 2024 Participants
LAURA MALONE – COUNTY LIMERICK
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
Patrickswell, Limerick
What school do you teach in?
Scoil Íde, Corbally, Limerick
What made you want to become a teacher?
I don’t remember a time that I didn’t want to be a teacher.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
INTO In Touch magazine.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
I had been to Cambodia a few years earlier and thought that SBB sounded like they were doing really worthwhile work. I love the opportunity to be immersed in another culture and I had previously volunteered with a different educational programme abroad. Connect sounded perfect!
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
How few years children, on average, spend in school in Cambodia really struck me.
What surprised you most?
The willingness and eagerness of teachers working with SBB to learn and adapt to improve teaching and learning in their classrooms.
What have been the greatest challenges?
Understanding the context of the students and how the education system works in Cambodia (and the heat!!)
Who inspires you and why?
Nelson Mandela for popularising the idea of the importance of education for change.
MARY HEALY – COUNTY DUBLIN
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
I’m from Dublin, Ireland’s capital. I grew up and worked in Dublin 15 until my retirement in 2019. I now live in Navan, Co. Meath.
What school do you teach in?
I worked at St. Brigid’s Girls’ N.S. in Blanchardstown for 20 years. For a further 15 years I worked at Castaheany ETNS in Ongar, as Deputy Principal and then Principal.
What made you want to become a teacher?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. My parents were teachers, my grandmother was a teacher and various aunts and uncles on both sides were also teachers. I guess it’s in my DNA.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
I heard lots of amazing things about SBB from Maeve Corish at Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. More recently, Fintan Mc Cutcheon told me lots about SBB and his visit to Cambodia.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
Both Maeve and Fintan motivated me to take part this year.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
The low attainment levels in literacy and the low rates of attendance and school completion. The most recent PISA results paint a stark picture.
What surprised you most?
The enthusiasm, passion, positivity and optimism of SBB staff have really blown me away. Truly remarkable!
What have been the greatest challenges?
A new language and coping with a very different climate can be tricky, but we’re coping well with so much help and support.
Who inspires you and why?
My two adult sons inspire me with their creativity, their resilience and their very kind hearts. Since arriving in Cambodia, Colm at SBB has really inspired me to think very differently about volunteering and charity work. I do lots of both in Ireland, but will be looking through a different lens when I return.
MIRIAM JUDGE – COUNTY MAYO
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
Tooreen/Ballyhaunis, County Mayo
What school do you teach in?
I work in the special class for autism in Ballyhaunis Primary School, Scoil Íosa.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I’ve always wanted to work with children ever since I was in primary school myself. I loved my teachers and thought about it a lot. I then focused my attention on special Ed and fell in love with the work.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
An ad in the INTO newsletter.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
I love travelling and seeing new cultures. This project was a way to connect the two passions I have. Having been here last year, I’m only too delighted to be chosen to come back again.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
I was shocked last year, that in 2023, conditions and methods are so ‘old fashioned’ to me. I did, however, get the impression that teachers and principals want this to change so badly.
What surprised you most?
I was surprised by the dedication the teachers have for their work and how little they get paid. I was surprised too by the lack of network they have between other teachers. I’m glad SBB are turning their attention to assist in this.
What have been the greatest challenges?
Personally – the mosquitos!!! But challenges in schools would be the resources, poor attendance and methodologies are not functional. Situations are very difficult for families so education takes a back seat in priorities. But I can now see that change is coming.
Who inspires you and why?
The staff in SBB I’ve met along the way are a huge inspiration. Last year I spent two weeks in Battambang and saw the huge amount of work the Changemakers and teacher development officers were putting in. They are truly practising what they preach in SBB, and have staff who work in their own communities where the help is needed. How wonderful for staff to say, I’m helping my own community!
ORLA BIRMINGHAM – COUNTY DUBLIN
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
I am from Clontarf in Dublin
What school do you teach in?
I teach in Broombridge Educate Together National School in Cabra.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I wanted to become a teacher from a very young age, I was inspired by a family member who was a teacher.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
I first learnt about SeeBeyondBorders from family friends and other teachers who have travelled to Cambodia with SeeBeyondBorders.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
After meeting SeeBeyondBorders visitors in Dublin in 2023 & 2024, I wanted to come to Cambodia to see their classes and the work that they do.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
The willingness, firstly of students to learn and secondly of teachers and school leaders to work with SeeBeyondBorders to change the way that they are teaching.
What surprised you most?
The rate of change and how receptive and open people are to new ideas.
What have been the greatest challenges?
The heat!! But also trying to understand how different the individual experience of each student is.
Who inspires you and why?
My parents definitely inspire me. They are my biggest motivators and cheerleaders. They are also such hard workers and they drive me to always be the best version of myself.
MÍCHEÁL KILCRANN – COUNTY ROSCOMMON
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
I am originally from Rooskey, in County Roscommon, now living in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
What school do you teach in?
I have been teaching in St Patrick’s Boys National School Drumcondra on the campus of DCU since 1999. I am currently on secondment to the National Council Special Education NCSE.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I have always had a huge interest in Irish language and our rich culture and heritage, and I wanted to be able to share, impart and be part of the teaching profession – my training was also through the medium of the Irish language. The many great educators during my own schooling were also an inspiration.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
Over the years I have heard of the great work of SBB through my teacher union and the various articles in the Intouch magazine for teachers. I was aware of the support The INTO offer to SBB, and I was delighted to be part of the first Connect group of Irish educators to travel to Cambodia in 2023.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
I have been very fortunate to have visited many countries such as Uganda, Nicaragua and Palestine on teacher programme similar to Connect and having visited Cambodia last year I was truly impressed by the work of SBB and the commitment of the staff in the various provinces we visited.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
One of the stand out concerns from last year was the low attendance levels of the pupils in many schools, but this year the concern for me of the PISA results (Cambodia currently ranked at the bottom) this is the real challenge for Cambodia education moving forward.
What surprised you most?
Every day I am surprised here in Cambodia, from the welcome, the hospitality the smiles, Cambodia as I described it last year is an assault on your senses, and despite all the challenges everyone gives a warm welcome. It’s humbling to be here again with a tremendous group of committed educators.
What have been the greatest challenges?
We all share mutual respect with each other, and we have been so fortunate with great translators however I’d love to be able to speak more Khmer, and be able to share more of how we can further support the educators we meet as well as SBB staff.
Who inspires you and why?
I have always been inspired by my grandmother who passed away in 2010 aged 90, she was a really warm, engaging, practical and loving person. The longer we have them the harder it is to let them go, is an old Irish saying we have. I still miss her and she would be so interested to hear about this trip. Her legacy like so many others will live on.
EIMEAR KELLY – COUNTY DUBLIN
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
I am from the Navan Road which is a small parish in Dublin 7, County Dublin.
What school do you teach in?
I teach in a relatively new school ‘Broombridge Educate Together NS’ in Cabra, Dublin.
What made you want to become a teacher?
From the age of 16, I volunteered with youth groups in my area. This work instilled a passion for supporting and working with children.
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
Initially, I heard about previous Connect visits to my current school before I joined. Then I received an informative email from our principal about the programme!
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
I was captivated by the message from SeeBeyondBorders. I was excited to work with an organisation that is working hard to transform the education system in Cambodia.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
Typically, education is delivered through a traditional approach; such as direct instruction. However it is clear this approach is slowly transitioning to a more efficient method with increased pupil engagement!
What surprised you most?
The progress that SeeBeyondBorders has achieved in the past year. It is amazing to hear about the refurbishment of the teacher development centre and how it is used regularly.
What have been the greatest challenges?
Personally, the climate is the biggest challenge as the heat is challenging to adjust to.
Who inspires you and why?
My family inspires me. Growing up, education was always viewed as important. I watched my relatives complete university degrees and pursue careers of interest. Education is key to success.
LOUISE KILMARTIN – COUNTY DUBLIN
Where in Ireland are you from and where do you teach?
I am from Dundrum, Dublin.
What school do you teach in?
I teach in St. Brigid’s G.N.S. in Cabinteely, Dublin.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I have always wanted to be a teacher. My grandmother was a teacher and I grew up listening to her talking about her life as one and this inspired me. Teaching goes back generations in my family – right back to the days of the hedge schools!
Where did you first learn about SeeBeyondBorders and Connect?
I first read about SeeBeyondBorders in an INTO email.
What made you want to join the Connect visit to Cambodia?
I feel that I have been very fortunate with all the opportunities I have had and I want to give something back . I have always been interested in volunteering on education projects in other countries and this is my second one to get involved in. I was particularly interested in the Cambodian-led, solidarity model of the Connect programme and idea of working with Cambodian teachers.
Most notable thing you’ve learnt about the educational context in Cambodia?
The most notable thing for me has been the impact of the past on the education system today and how few years, on average, Cambodian children spend in school.
What surprised you most?
How much work SBB has achieved in effecting change, the impressive Teacher Development Centre we used for our recent workshop and how warm, welcoming and open to change, all the teachers, principals and department officials have been.
What have been the greatest challenges?
Only being able to communicate with the teachers through a translator has naturally been challenge and has limited the amount we can share with one another. On a day-to-day level , I have found the heat and humidity to be tricky.
Who inspires you and why?
People in the volunteering sector who work tirelessly for the benefit of others inspire me.
Interested in learning more about Connect visits and our work in Cambodia? Contact ireland@seebeyondborders.org
