As spring gave way to summer, there was plenty happening across the DARA Europe community. From joyful Khmer New Year celebrations and inspiring stories from students, teachers, and parents in Andong, to valuable partnerships and fundraising activities in the Netherlands.
News from Cambodja
Celebrating Khmer New Year in early April
In early April, students and staff at Stellar celebrated Khmer New Year with traditional games, laughter, and time together. The holiday is one of Cambodia’s most important celebrations, bringing communities together to honor traditions, family, and gratitude. For many of our students, it was a joyful opportunity to celebrate their culture and create happy memories with friends.
The importance of reading explained by students
What makes reading so important? Two Stellar students, Thavin and Meng Heng, shared how books help them learn, imagine, and discover new possibilities. Their stories remind us that reading opens doors far beyond the classroom. Whether they are exploring new ideas or simply enjoying a good story, books help children build confidence and curiosity for the future.
A successful meeting with parents
During our monthly parents’ meeting, 44 parents came together to learn about child protection and the importance of creating a safe environment for children. These gatherings help strengthen families and support children’s wellbeing at home and at Stellar. They also create valuable opportunities for parents to share experiences and learn from one another. After the session, we spoke with some of the participants about what they had taken away from the discussion. We can’t wait to share their stories and reflections with you on social media soon, so stay tuned!
News from the Netherlands
Celebrating Strong Partnerships: Wilde Ganzen Day 2026
At the end of March, Tirza and Padrice, one of our fundraising team members, joined the Wilde Ganzen Day 2026, a wonderful opportunity to connect with other organizations working to make a difference. Wilde Ganzen was one of the major supporters of the construction of our Stellar Centre last year, helping us create a stronger foundation for our work. It was inspiring to hear stories of collaboration, commitment, and the power of local communities to create lasting change. The day reminded us how much can be achieved when people work together toward a shared goal.
This World Cup, support team Stellar!
With the tournament underway and football excitement at its peak, we’re cheering on a very special team of our own in Cambodia: Stellar team! Football boots are currently being collected for the young players in Andong, and we’re now raising funds for the support that will help them thrive—from coaching and training to building confidence and teamwork.
While you’re following the matches and making your tournament predictions, why not place a bet on their future too? Donate today and help these young athletes take their next steps on and off the pitch.
Extra news
This spring, Aurora and Irene from Cherry International Foundation joined DARA Europe as volunteers in our Marketing & Communications team. They help us share stories from Cambodia through blogs, newsletters, photos, and videos, and we are grateful for their enthusiasm and fresh ideas.
“I wanted to broaden my horizons and contribute to something meaningful, and DARA Europe gave me the opportunity to do both. I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring team.” – Irene, volunteer in the Marketing & Communications workgroup.
Join our team – content creator
Would you like to use your skills to support a meaningful cause? We are currently looking for a new volunteer to join our team. We’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for being part of the DARA community. Whether you’re a follower, support us as a donor, volunteer or partner, you help create opportunities for children and families in Andong every day.