School Health Development Project for All Cambodian ChildrenNewsletterVol. 12

Issued date: 13th July, 2023

Signing Ceremony for the Inter-Unitersity Academic Exchange Agreement
Tokyo Gakugei University(TGU), Phnom Penh Teacher Education College(PTEC), andBattambang Teacher Education College(BTEC) signed an inter-university agreement onMarch 21st, 2023, with the aim of further promoting future collaboration between theuniversities. The signing of the inter-university agreement was the first inter-university
agreement for PTEC and BTEC.
At the signing ceremony in Cambodia, the project leader, Dr. Asakura explained thebackground of the agreement and the specific contents of the agreement. In a video
message, Director Kokubun from TGU expressed his expectations for the agreement.
Director Set Seng from PTEC and Director Bin Chhom from BTEC expressed theirappreciation for the agreement and their expectations for school health training andfuture collaboration in research activities between universities.
It is expected that the TGU will not only support school health classes at the university
through the project, but also collaborate in various other areas, such as short-term
student dispatch and exchange activities, and joint research.

Performance from PTEC and BTEC studentsAt the signing ceremony, TGU introduced its university
facilities and education courses. Students from PTEC andBTEC performed traditional dances and plays. Students
performance was great and every participant enjoyed towatch the dances and plays.
The ceremony was broadcasted through online meetings
to the Japanese side, and TGU students participated in an
online meeting and had a brief exchange with Cambodianstudents.

School Health Cambodia Project held a study tour from 4 to 14 February 2023
STUDY inTheCambodia.
Students from Tokyo Gakugei University (TGU) visited Cambodia tosee and experience the culture, the way of life, and the famous monuments. TGUTOUR students wrote about what they did and learned during the study tour.

Cityscapes and the charms●Phnom Penh City

Phnom Penh is a city that has developed rapidly, so the old and new are scrambled, a little bit dusty andstinking of exhaust. It was so hot that I almost fell over, but it was full of life even at night, and I felt thatit’s a wonderful city. There were many motorcycles on the roads of Phnom Penh. There were also many
Japanese motorcycle shops. I was shocked when I saw a four-seater motorcycle.
●Battambang Province
We passed through the wilderness, woods, and rice fields. I saw wild chickens, cows, and dogs roaming
around that you don’t see at all in Japan. In Battambang, I noticed that there are many monks in orange
clothes. From the appearance of the people, I could see that it is a country with strong religious beliefs.
●Siem Reap Province
Siem Reap was much hotter than the other two cities. We visited a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. I
learned that the people who live there are making efforts to preserve precious water for future
generations without polluting it any further. Banyan trees, mangroves, and linden trees grow wild. People
live by catching catfish and thunder fish.

Cambodian traditional dance
We saw a traditional dance called “Apsara Dance”. The costumes anddecorations worn by the dancers were distinctive, gorgeous and beautiful.
It was a dance characterized by slow, graceful movements and supple
movements in which the hands and feet were arched like a bow. I couldn't
arch my hands like a dancer. Apsara is a celestial maiden in ancient Indian
mythology. Apsaras were also drawn on the walls of Angkor Wat.
When I interacted with the BTEC students, they taught me that each Apsara
dance choreography has a meaning. I was taught the choreography, but myhands were too stiff to move like how BTEC students do. There was a dance time
during the student exchange. The traditional dance that I learned from
Cambodian students was characterized by hand movements and feet steps. The
choreography was not often seen in Japan. By dancing with everyone, we wereable to connect our hearts and it was a lot of fun.

The bat cave
We went to the bat cave in Battambang on 6th March. We got off the bus, then, saw the gold building likea temple. It was also surprising that there were some wild dogs on the street, and they were very friendly.
We never saw the scene in Japan because the dogs are usually kept in the house! (Some of us who don’t
like dogs, shouted and escaped from wild dogs!)
After arrived at the temple, we had a lot of time,
so we bought some foods from food vender. Myfriends tried boiled duck eggs and crickets. I
couldn’t try since those were very shocking
visuals.
We had heard that bats fly out of the cavearound 17:00. However, actual time we sawbats was 18:25!!

Dining in Cambodia
All the meal I ate in Cambodia during this study tour were delicious.
I would like to introduce some meals and foods that left aparticularly strong impression on me.The first is Kway Teow. It is a
Cambodian morning staple dish. This is a dish of rice noodles,
vegetables and meat in a soup. It has a simple taste, but it fills mystomach and is perfect for breakfast.
The second is insect dishes. It was my first opportunity to eat bugs,so I was really nervous before I ate it. However, it tasted likeseafood, and it was more delicious than I expected. I am glad I took
the plunge and tried it.
The third is mango. In Cambodia, mango trees are planted in many houses, and many mangoes werespread all over the city. I was surprised that the mango tree was taller than I thought. I tried one of themangoes, and it was sweeter and tastier than the Japanese ones.
Before going to Cambodia, I was worried if I could eat Cambodian food, but it was delicious and suitedJapanese people. I really love Khmer cuisine, and I want to try it again.

Cambodia buildings
The study tour included visits to many traditional Cambodian buildings.
First, let me introduce the World Heritage Site of Angkor. These are the ruins of
the Khmer Dynasty and are located in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. TheAngkor Complex includes many famous monuments that you may have heardof, such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Great Southern Gate. Angkor
Thom had murals depicting various scenes. For example, scenes of people
picking up or sleeping in class. And the picture on the right is Angkor Wat. I still
remember how impressed I was by the vast landscape.
Next, I would like to introduce the Royal Palace of Cambodia. Actually, thisroyal palace is still in use today, and the king sometimes comes here. The
buildings of the Royal Palace are basically yellow. In the garden, traditional
Cambodian songs are played live, and in the exhibition room, you can see up
close the actual tools used in successive ceremonies.
Every building in Cambodia is rich in nature, and it was heartwarming to see.

What we saw from the boat
In the afternoon of 8th March, we visited Tonle Sap lake which is the largest
lake In Southeast Asia. In the Tonle sap lake, we saw life on the water fromthe ship. I had previously seen the life on the water on TV and had always
wanted to go there in person. I was particularly impressed by the following
two points.
First, each house has flowerpots with a variety of plants at the entrance andbalcony. I felt the wealth of people's hearts at that scene.
Second, grilled crocodile was more delicious than what I expected. At theSouvenir Shop on the lake, I tried to eat crocodile for the first time in my life.
It was salty-sweet and tastes like Japanese pickles which is called Tsukudani.
My friend and I ate it so much.
I spend a great time in the Tonle sap.
And now, reflecting on the Study Tour for writing
this article, I’m so excited andstill clearly remember all the scenes.

Tuol Sleng(S21) & Killing Field
There were forced labor and a holocaust of intellectual people between 1975
to 1979 in Cambodia by the regime in those days, Khmer Rouge. S21 was aninterrogation center and Killing field as the name suggests.
S21 displays mugshots of people who would be housed there due to thecrimes for which were being educated or which the Khmer Rouge made upsuch as being a CIA spy. I couldn’t imagine what they are thinking as being
photographed, knowing they were heading to die.
In addition, what shocked me the most was the soldiers who carried out
those things including children. Khmer Rouge had educated children in theirideology to make children not hesitate to kill their enemies. This fact shows
how big the impact of education is. As a future teacher, it made me think
deeply about what education should be like.
As you can see in the picture, there was a memorial tower with thousands of victims’ skeletons piled up
in the killing field. While looking around the field, I was devastated and crying. I couldn’t express all I felt,
but I can only say that I never forget what I saw. Not to make same mistakes again.

Student exchange meeting [BTEC & PTEC]
We had an exchange meeting with BTEC and PTEC students!
❁Time schedule❁First, we introduced ourselves and then went around BTEC and 1. Opening
PTEC. I heard TEC students clean their school every morning.
2. Greetings from professors and students
Then we danced together!! TGU students learned traditional 3. TGU introduction
Khmer dance and taught TEC students how to dance with 4. Campus tour
5. Dance performance“Koisuru fortune cookie (a Japanese popular song)”. We enjoyed 6. Luncha great time!
7. Student exchange[about school health]
8. Closing
Our main event was a student exchange about school health.
We separated five groups and made a presentation.
[1.CPR 2. Heat stroke 3. Food poisoning 4. Hand washing 5. First Aid]
We exchanged many ideas and knowledge. Each groupmade a great presentation. Through this student
exchange, we knew about each other and thought aboutschool health! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
See you…

Elementary School and School Health Room in Cambodia
On the last day of our study tour, we visited the elementary school andhealth center supported by Udon House.
Cambodian children were very energetic, just like Japanese children. Thechildren were trying their best to attend classes. Schools in Cambodia
are divided into morning classes and afternoon classes. I found that theyspend a lot of time outside of school. So, I wanted to know how thechildren are doing outside of school. As for sanitation, there are handwashing stations near the toilets. The hand washing station was built by
the school with money raised.
The School Health Room is located in the staff room. It was mainly usedfor treating injuries and children who were not feeling well and had only
one bed. There was no Yogo teacher, and the School Health Room wasstaffed by teachers who were available. In addition, various healthrelated posters are displayed, such as hand washing and food nutritioncharts.

Project’s student supporters
6 of first-year students 2023 joined the Cambodia study circle!!
ONAKA Satomi
I’m a first-year university student.
I joined this project to study health education abroad.
I like running, baking, and window shopping.

KANOU Mana
I'm a first-year university student.
I am the manager of the men's handball team.
I participated in this project because I was interested in school health in Cambodia.

NISHIDA Moe
My hobby is watching anime.
I joined this project because I was interested in foreign countries.
I look forward to learning a lot. I will do my best!

HAZAMA Akari
I was interested in this project even before I entered university and decided toparticipate.
I want to learn about school health not only in Japan but also overseas and become
a nursing teacher with a broad perspective.
My hobby is listening to Japanese rock music. Thank you!

FUKUDA Mimi
I am a first-year university student. I joined this project because I wanted to look athealth education in Japan from the outside and increase my living knowledge ofschool health through Cambodia-related matters and workshops.
Through this project, I am looking forward to visiting Cambodia and experiencing
the lifestyle, culture, and ideology.

MURASAWA Maya
I'm a first-year university student. I’m the manager of the rugby club at university.
I participated in this project because I wanted to broaden my horizons by studying
school health in Cambodia.
I'm looking forward to having various experiences through this project.

SHCC project is excited to have an exchange program
between TGU students and PTEC・BTEC students!