Project
Digital Education for Kui IP Community
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Amount Funded
25,000 EUROProject Duration
01 Feb 2023 - 31 Jan 2024 -
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Lead organisation
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Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) is the only indigenous youth network registered and active in Cambodia at both the grass-root and national levels. It was formed in 2005 by a group of indigenous people’s students and officially registered under the Ministry of Interior in 2008. CIYA’s vision is to see indigenous peoples are strong, prosperous, and able to protect their natural resources, traditions, cultures, and rights. Developing the capacity of indigenous youths, who are the key human resources and future of the indigenous people, will help contribute towards sustaining their traditional livelihoods. Its mission is to 1/ consolidate all indigenous youths of both sexes studying in Phnom Penh and other provinces towards building a solid network. This will help strengthen their solidarity and allow them to build strong capacities, empowering them as the future generation of the indigenous communities they represent and 2/ helping indigenous communities in ensuring the protection and security of their land and natural resources to improve their livelihood and access to healthcare and to maintain their identities such as custom, tradition, beliefs, and languages.
Phum Asia Youth Center was established in 2014 to give a chance to young community people looking for an opportunity to continue their education. Phum Asia is the place for everyone who wants to skill them up, continue their public school, and learn digital things.
In 2014, a group of young community had already left the school and would like to be back to school. Still, they can’t afford to pay the rental fee, food costs, and transportation, so I and the other Cambodian professors, Community leaders collaborate with Japanese professors, who decided to establish a center in town called Phum Asia Center.
The main purpose of the Center is to share opportunities for education to all. The Activities of Phum Asia Center now: teaching digital to rural students, traditional dance training and performance for the community, and providing entrepreneurial skills.
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Organisation
Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) is the only indigenous youth network registered and active in Cambodia at both the grass-root and national levels. It was formed in 2005 by a group of indigenous people’s students and officially registered under the Ministry of Interior in 2008. CIYA’s vision is to see indigenous peoples are strong, prosperous, and able to protect their natural resources, traditions, cultures, and rights. Developing the capacity of indigenous youths, who are the key human resources and future of the indigenous people, will help contribute towards sustaining their traditional livelihoods. Its mission is to 1/ consolidate all indigenous youths of both sexes studying in Phnom Penh and other provinces towards building a solid network. This will help strengthen their solidarity and allow them to build strong capacities, empowering them as the future generation of the indigenous communities they represent and 2/ helping indigenous communities in ensuring the protection and security of their land and natural resources to improve their livelihood and access to healthcare and to maintain their identities such as custom, tradition, beliefs, and languages.
Phum Asia Youth Center was established in 2014 to give a chance to young community people looking for an opportunity to continue their education. Phum Asia is the place for everyone who wants to skill them up, continue their public school, and learn digital things.
In 2014, a group of young community had already left the school and would like to be back to school. Still, they can’t afford to pay the rental fee, food costs, and transportation, so I and the other Cambodian professors, Community leaders collaborate with Japanese professors, who decided to establish a center in town called Phum Asia Center.
The main purpose of the Center is to share opportunities for education to all. The Activities of Phum Asia Center now: teaching digital to rural students, traditional dance training and performance for the community, and providing entrepreneurial skills.
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Project
Digital Literacy Education for Kui IP project aims to see young Kui indigenous people and their community can use digital skills with security for their daily work to improve their access to information, improve their livelihood, and conserve their cultural identity. It intends and promotes its community activities, products, and services to develop its community. To address the issues faced by young rural students from the indigenous community that lack opportunity in access to basic skills of digital literacy, this project is to create opportunities for young Kui indigenous people, the rural student in Kampong Thom province to strengthen their capacity for soft skill training, and community performance program to maintain their traditional dancing and concept of entrepreneurship. Young Kui people who live in the most remote areas will have the opportunity to strengthen their life skills and knowledge to compete with other privileged young people in the city for employment. This inclusive education is not based on teaching methods but more on practice. The project is designed for rural youth to learn and know their rights to access safety information and how to use digital for their education and the community. The best practice of this inclusive educational model will be captured to amplify and scale out in other communities. The 12-month project will be self-sustained by the digital library project, where IP candidates can continue their work by adding information to this platform. Everyone can learn and search for Kui IP to learn more about their culture, traditional skill, food, history, and products. This 12-month project is targeted to be conducted in 3 different villages of Kampong Thom province.
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Digital Literacy Education for Kui IP project aims to see young Kui indigenous people and their community can use digital skills with security for their daily work to improve their access to information, improve their livelihood, and conserve their cultural identity. It intends and promotes its community activities, products, and services to develop its community. To address the issues faced by young rural students from the indigenous community that lack opportunity in access to basic skills of digital literacy, this project is to create opportunities for young Kui indigenous people, the rural student in Kampong Thom province to strengthen their capacity for soft skill training, and community performance program to maintain their traditional dancing and concept of entrepreneurship. Young Kui people who live in the most remote areas will have the opportunity to strengthen their life skills and knowledge to compete with other privileged young people in the city for employment. This inclusive education is not based on teaching methods but more on practice. The project is designed for rural youth to learn and know their rights to access safety information and how to use digital for their education and the community. The best practice of this inclusive educational model will be captured to amplify and scale out in other communities. The 12-month project will be self-sustained by the digital library project, where IP candidates can continue their work by adding information to this platform. Everyone can learn and search for Kui IP to learn more about their culture, traditional skill, food, history, and products. This 12-month project is targeted to be conducted in 3 different villages of Kampong Thom province.
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Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Kui Indigenous People Through Digital Education
The “Digital Education for Kui Indigenous People” project, driven by the vision of Phum Asia Youth Center and supported by Voice, sought to empower the Kui indigenous community in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. Our aim was to bridge the digital divide and promote digital literacy, enabling the Kui community to access information, improve livelihoods, and preserve their cultural heritage.
Project Implementation Phase:
Project Launch and Preparation: The project began with a comprehensive e-waste collection campaign, gathering 20 second-hand computers from Cambodia and Japan. These computers were vital in transforming the community center into a digital hub equipped with internet connectivity.
Digital Literacy Training: We conducted digital literacy training sessions tailored specifically for Kui youth and community members. Over the project period, we trained 70 Kui youth (19 males, 61 females, aged 18-24) and 30 community members (10 males, 20 females, aged 24-30). The training covered essential digital skills, social media usage, digital marketing, and internet security.
Establishment of a Digital Library: A sustainable digital library and community website were established, featuring over 50 digital resources related to Kui culture and community activities. This digital repository serves as a valuable resource for the community, promoting cultural preservation and education.
Challenges Encountered: Working with a host organization for the first time presented challenges, including understanding and adhering to financial policies and internal procedures. Extensive paperwork and budget approval processes delayed some activities, but these experiences provided valuable learning opportunities.
Collaboration and Engagement: Throughout the project, we collaborated closely with local authorities, community leaders, and partners from Cambodia, Japan, Myanmar, and Indonesia. Their involvement was crucial in mobilizing community members and ensuring the success of the project.
Impact and Transformation
Empowerment and Skill Development: The project significantly improved the digital literacy skills of 70 community members, fostering increased confidence in using digital tools. Community members now could promote their products and services, such as community tours, home stay and agricultural products.
Cultural Preservation: Through the digital library and community website, we documented and shared Kui cultural practices, ensuring their preservation for future generations. This initiative has strengthened the community’s sense of identity and pride in their heritage. Digital library is an open source where community able to input daily activities, food, skills related with Kui culture.
Improvement in Living Conditions: Enhanced digital skills have allowed community members to access vital information, pursue better job opportunities, and effectively market their products. Approximately 60% of participants reported improved computer skills and well manage social media as a direct result of the project.
Success Stories: One notable success story is that of Chor Lina, an 18-year-old Kui girl who gained essential digital skills through our training program. She now supports her community’s saving team in Kor Ki village and promotes Kui cultural heritage through social media, exemplifying the transformative power of digital literacy.
Lessons Learned
Practical Hands-On Training: Tailoring digital literacy training to the specific needs of rural and indigenous communities proved highly effective. Hands-on sessions provided participants with practical skills they could immediately apply in their daily lives.
E-Waste Repurposing: Repurposing e-waste for educational purposes was a cost-effective solution that enabled us to provide digital education to the Kui community. This approach can be replicated in other communities facing similar challenges.
Integrating Cultural Promotion: Combining cultural promotion with community development activities ensured a holistic approach to empowerment. This integration not only preserved cultural heritage but also fostered community cohesion and pride.
Future Support and Development: To fully realize the benefits of digital education, continued support and development are essential. We plan to maintain and expand the digital library, extend training programs to additional villages, and further document and share Kui cultural practices.
Call to Action
Sustaining the Impact: We invite supporters to help sustain and expand the digital literacy program. Contributions can enable us to reach more communities, provide ongoing training, and continue promoting cultural preservation.
Engage with Us: Join us in our mission to empower indigenous communities through digital education. Support can come in various forms, including financial contributions, volunteering, and sharing our project within your networks.
Contact Information: For more information or to support our project, please contact us at Kui Community Center in Phum Andas, Salavisa, Prasat banlang, Kompong Thom Province. Together, we can make a lasting impact and bridge the digital divide for the Kui indigenous community.
By sharing the journey of our project, we hope to inspire others to recognize the transformative power of digital education and the importance of cultural preservation. With continued support and collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and empowered future for all.
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News