Background

In 2005 Tuy Sobil (aka “KK”) opened up his modest home to a handful of kids he had seen working or living on the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. KK had only just arrived in Cambodia himself. Born in the Thai refugee camps, he grew up in the projects of Los Angeles, fell into gang membership and was eventually deported to a country he had never previously visited. What happened next is what makes his story special. Word spread that KK had been a break-dancer. All of a sudden the very kids he saw living on the streets were knocking at his door asking him to teach them. KK saw these kids getting involved in anti-social behaviour and drugs, he saw that without guidance they were in danger of repeating the mistakes of his youth. He decided to take on the challenge and reluctantly agreed to start teaching them break-dancing. Cramped sessions in his living room attracted ever greater numbers and KK combined dance lessons with encouragement, support and guidance. More than anything, he believed in them and showed them the care and concern that was otherwise absent in their lives. Seven years on, those kids have performed internationally – from Australia to Italy – and are now teachers at KK’s ‘Tiny Toones’ centre. Over 200 children from the slums come every day to dance, to make music, to learn English, Khmer (the Cambodian language) and computing, and to enjoy the freedom to be children. It is down to KK’s vision and commitment that this safe environment exists, where children can enjoy learning, explore their creativity and develop a positive sense of identity and community.

Mission

The mission of Tiny Toones Cambodia is to provide a safe, positive environment for at‐risk youth to channel their energy and creativity into the arts and education, empowering them to build self‐confidence in their daily lives, aim for better employment possibilities, and feel supported pursuing their dreams.

Vision

The vision of Tiny Toones is for all youth in Cambodia and beyond to live healthy lives free of HIV and drugs, realize their full potential through educational and creative opportunities; to pursue their dreams and become positive leaders of tomorrow.

Goal

When low income, marginalized youth have access to free education and a strong support system within a creative and safe environment, it is expected that these conditions will contribute to the following changes: the rate of illiteracy among youth will decrease the number of at-risk youth engaging in harmful practices such as street work, drug abuse or gang involvement will decrease as a result of youth developing the ability to problem solve and foresee consequences the rate of illiteracy among youth will decrease the number of at‐risk youth engaging in harmful practices such as street work, drug use or gang involvement will decrease as a result of youth developing the ability to problem solve and foresee consequences youth will become less susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection through knowledge and preventative behavior youth can develop the vision and skills to plan for and build a bright future and lifestyle for themselves and their families youth will gain self‐ confidence and motivation by developing their ability to communicate effectively using the arts youth can help supplement their family’s income using their artistic talents, without having to neglect their education with the support of role models, youth will learn how to be a positive influence among their peers and in their communities youth can develop leadership skills and self‐ expression and achieve stronger self empowerment the number of students participating in education will increase which will provide them with a range of meaningful employment opportunities

Staff