The time has finally come for me to fulfill my mid-30s clichéd destiny: on Sunday 24th November 2024, I will be running the Hanoi Midnight Marathon.

Whilst in Cambodia I stumbled upon the most incredible inclusive arts charity, Phare Ponleu Selpak. Phare Circus is a well-established tourist stop in Siem Reap, but I did not realise they operate a full education provision in Battambang until I happened to be staying in an Air BnB nearby.

I was lucky enough to go on a campus tour and witness the incredible work they are doing; offering totally free, high quality, inclusive arts education to some of the most disadvantaged young people across Cambodia. They receive zero Government funding and yet continue to grow, with full academic, music, circus, graphic design, dance, special education programmes and much more.

I am hoping to raise US$720, enough to support one young person for a year on a music scholarship. Please do consider supporting if you can, thank you in advance for being wonderful ❤️

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Please do take a look at Phare's website (https://phareps.org/) or read below to find out more:

Music has a profound significance in Cambodian culture, serving as a source of inspiration, resilience, and unity. During the 1950s to 1970s, Cambodia's artistic scene flourished, with music being a central part of this creative era. However, the brutal regime of Pol Pot (1975-1979) led to the loss of this cultural heritage. Since then, music has been slowly recovering, with young Cambodians now driving a revival of original music creations inspired by their cultural roots. While there is growing interest in music, many marginalized talents in rural areas lack access to learning and equipment to explore their passion or pursue their professional goals, making it difficult for them to break into the industry and be recognized.

Since 1996, Phare Ponleu Selpak's music school has been providing free access to music education for disadvantaged youth and artists from Battambang and other provinces in Cambodia. The school has expanded its offerings over the years, starting with flute and piano lessons in 1996, followed by modern music in 1997, and finally classical and traditional music in 2002. The school is divided into two main disciplines: classical/traditional music and modern music, with both leisure and vocational training programs. Leisure classes allow students to discover music, explore their passion and develop their talents in music. In vocational training, students receive high quality training which guarantees access to a sustainable career path. The vocational training in music consists of two disciplines: classical/traditional and modern music. Students study both disciplines and choose to specialize in one of them. In addition to their regular classes, hands-on experience is a crucial part of the vocational program, allowing students to apply and practice their skills through live performances at the school and in public on special occasions.

Any donations to Phare Ponleu Selpak's music school are greatly valued, as they enable the school to continue providing both leisure music classes and vocational training for children and young people. With a donation of just USD720, you can support a scholarship student in the vocational program for an entire year, helping them to develop their musical talents and pursue their passions.