Do you remember where you were on March 8, 2021? At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we were making history! Four years ago, our artists, staff, and supporters came together to take on a challenge unlike any other—a 24-hour, 10-minute, and 30-second non-stop circus performance....
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, our volunteers and interns bring fresh perspectives, boundless creativity, and an eagerness to make a difference. Whether they’re from Cambodia or across the globe, their contributions not only support our mission but also leave a lasting...
Sinat, a mother from an impoverished situation, is delighted to witness her 5-year-old daughter Sovanita thrive in the supportive environment at Phare Kindergarten. Sovanita’s passion for art reflects her dreams, making her a favorite among teachers. Phare Ponleu...
This year, Phare Ponleu Selpak has taken a meaningful step toward creating new opportunities for young female dancers. In February, thanks to funding from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) we launched a new project aimed at improving the learning...
If you haven’t already heard of SOK Dina, then prepare to be amazed. Dina is the first performer from Cambodia to join Cirque du Soliel in Montreal, Canada. Dina is also a circus alumnus from Phare Performing Arts School. From 2005 to 2011, Dina – and his friend and...
As a trans woman who is a Khmer traditional dancer, YOU Sarann faces endless discrimination. The 23-year-old Battambang native has dreamed of becoming a dancer since childhood, but many times, she’s wanted to give up. Fortunately, Phare Ponleu Selpak provides Sarann...
This past academic year, Phare Ponleu Selpak received two student volunteers from the United States. They have spent around 7 months at Phare and will be leaving soon to start their first year of university. As a farewell, we asked a few questions about their...
This past year, Phare Ponleu Selpak received two student volunteers from the United States. They have spent around seven months at Phare and will be leaving soon to start their first year of university. As a farewell, we asked a few questions about their internship...
Every year in mid-April, Cambodians celebrate the traditional holiday known as Khmer New Year – or Songkran – over the course of three festive days. The holiday is rooted in Buddhist traditions and is an important time for Cambodians to get back together with their...
Volunteering demonstrates the best of our shared humanity. Whenever we donate time, talent, or specific skills to a community organization, we have the chance to make the world a better place and impact real people in a responsible and meaningful way. And as our...
The Social Support program of Phare Ponleu Selpak is dedicated to improving the living standard of Cambodian children and their families in the community while engaging them in safeguarding children’s rights and well-being. This is made possible by the Social...
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we are fortunate to work with volunteers and interns from across Cambodia and around the world. It’s one of the best parts of being on our team – you get to form friendships and meet people from everywhere! This week we’re proud to interview...
Arts are at the center of everything we do at Phare Ponleu Selpak. Phare’s mission, vision, values – and even its name – are all based on the idea that creativity and artistic expression are inherently valuable. We also believe that the visual and performing arts...
Wow! What a strong finish to the first-ever Sangker River Run, and thank you to everyone who made it such an incredible success! On Saturday 20 January 2024, Phare Ponleu Selpak hosted the inaugural Sangker River Run, welcoming 140 runners and cyclists from (at least)...
It’s that time of year when everything from music to movies is arranged in a list and counted down. At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we’re doing the same. The past year has been quite busy at Phare Ponleu Selpak with art festivals, volunteers, star alumni, and more all making...
Today, the world is closely connected, and individuals, communities, and countries live in complex interdependencies. Individual lives are connected not only to the local communities and countries to which they belong, but also to the global population. Because of...
Wherever you are in the world, we hope you’re having a great GivingTuesday! At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we’re gearing up for a big challenge: In 2024, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary all year long with a series of special events, fundraisers, art festivals, and...
Every student who is part of the free lunch program at Phare Ponleu Selpak knows SOM Savoeurn. For 17 years, she’s been the chef in the Phare kitchen helping the social support team by cooking nutritious meals for students in need or who live too far away. This...
Over 120 parents and families from around Battambang gathered under the big top at Phare Ponleu Selpak on 6 November 2023 to witness a special event organized by the Phare Education Department: The Highlights of Educational Achievements in 2023. This gathering of...
The Child Protection policy was updated and improved in 2019 at Phare Ponleu Selpak. In the kindergarten, the program creates a climate of security and trust between students and teachers at school, and between children and parents at home. SOK Mochchara has been an...
Nutrition is vital to the health and welfare of every child. After all, a child’s growth is regulated by the food they eat, and meals must include vitamins and nutrients in sufficient quantities to ensure long-term wellness. That’s why nutrition is such an important...
Earlier this year, Phare Ponleu Selpak re-launched a mobile library program for the children in the surrounding community. The mobile library goes out into the surrounding community every Thursday and Friday to give everyone, but especially youngsters, a chance to...
When you purchase a ticket to the Phare Battambang Circus, did you know you’re supporting an entire community? It’s true. The funds from your ticket impact a wide variety of people and programs throughout Battambang Cambodia. But First… Before we dive into specifics,...
You might know about Phare Ponleu Selpak for our circus shows in Battambang or for the arts education we offer to children, youth, and young adults in the community, but did you know we also offer our students a wide range of social support programs? One of those...
Current situation Malnutrition still impacts many children in Cambodia. Rice, some meat and vegetables is in their diet but seldom fruit and dairy products, because they are not affordable by vulnerable households. Moreover, Cambodians consume excessive amount of...
Out of the Tini Tinou International Circus Festival spotlight, which took everyone’s attention during the months of May and June, our education team was busy launching the community mobile library. Books have always played a significant role at Phare, engaging many...
On 23 March 2022 Phare Ponleu Selpak hosted a roundtable discussion on child protection and the promotion of positive discipline for children under the topic, “How to Apply Positive Discipline at School”, with seven guest speakers, including Mr. Chhun Ramy, Deputy...
This June 2021, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport announced that all schools will remain closed and children will continue learning through online classes due to the pandemic. For rural and less privileged communities in Battambang, it still means a...
Phare Ponleu Selpak is still taking an active role in the “Love Does Not Hurt Campaign”: a three-year advocacy campaign launched in 2020 to push for an end to Humiliating/Corporal Punishment and to promote Positive Discipline in the Southeast Asian Region....
This pandemic has brought the inequality and inequity in education to the forefront. The students we serve suffered greatly with the school closures as most of them cannot afford computers and access to internet at home to continue with online classes like their...
After all Cambodian schools closed in March, the Education Department at Phare Ponleu Selpak responded by developing outreach programs in the surrounding communes to provide our kindergarten children with face to face, socially distanced classes. We started off with a...
Phare Ponleu Selpak has had the pleasure to co-organize a day of circus workshops to entertain and bring joy to the children of the « Metta Karuna » Center, a like-minded organization of Battambang Province which provides education and care to young people coming from...
In these troubled times, our first thought has been for the many impoverished communities in Battambang Province who are counting on Phare’s support. Social support has always been at the core of our mission. To understand the economic situation and immediate needs of...
Dear supporters and followers, I never imagined to be in the midst of a global pandemic during my lifetime. It is as if we have been thrown into an horror movie activating our survival instincts. Everyone in the world is being impacted in some way or another. With...
Phare Ponleu Selpak is dedicated to upholding the rights of all children. To this end, Child Club was created in February 2015, by 30 students from 16 different villages in the communes of Ochar, Chamcar Samrong and Toul Taek. It comes from the idea that children...
How did it all start? The Performing Arts School introduced dance to the curriculum at the end of 2013. The lessons began with traditional Cambodian dance and built from there. Advanced classes introduced students to modern influences. The dance program aims at...
Before joining Phare Ponleu Selpak, Xavier Gobin had a successful career as a dancer, collaborating with great creators such as Maurice Béjart and Jiri Kylian. However, very quickly, Gobin felt the desire to give others the same chances he had, of experiencing the...
Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. To ensure that we stay on top of child protection, all Phare Ponleu Selpak staff received a one-day training in August to get a better understanding of our child protection policy. They became more familiar with its...
Would you like to know what our Social Support department does on a monthly basis? Let us show you their activities of the last quarter in a few numbers. Child Protection Program: We have raised awareness through workshops on children’s rights, child protection, and...
What do you imagine when you think about the sorts of classes circus artists take part in here at Phare Ponleu Selpak? Flips and trapezes? Sequins and tightropes? Not always. Recently, Phare performing arts students took part in financial literacy workshops thanks to...
![Pride Month Interview: How Trans Student Sarann Found Her Place as a Khmer Dancer at Phare Ponleu Selpak [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sarann-trans-woman-khmer-dance-student-story-e1719826361206-800x675.jpg)
![Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Soree KIM, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/soree-kim-volunteer-internship-phare-ponleu-selpak.jpg)
![Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Eliot WITHERSPOON, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/volunteering-opportunity-phare-ponleu-selpak-cambodia.jpg)
