We are excited to officially welcome spring in the Netherlands! The days are getting longer, flowers are slowly starting to bloom, and we are enjoying sunny moments, although the temperatures are not very high yet. Meanwhile, in Cambodia, thermometers are reaching 40º, and we are soon celebrating the Khmer New Year’s, the grandest festival of the country, marking the end of the harvest season. And we would like to celebrate too! To begin with, we started the year with some of our DARA Europe volunteers / team members traveling to Cambodia and taking some big steps with SCCO. Would you like to know more? Keep reading!
News from Cambodia
Strategy and joy in Tirza’s visit to Cambodia
During her recent visit, our founder worked closely with the new board of SCCO, marking an important milestone in the organization’s transition. Many of the new board members already know the organization well—as former directors or team members—and it was a special moment to finally meet in person. Together, they started a new phase for the organization and aligned on strategy, common goals, and budget reviews. But the visit was not just focused on organizational matters; it was also about “catching up with friends and team members, and reconnecting to see how the students we support are growing into confident young adults”, as she shared. It was a meaningful mix of strategy, reflection and, of course, joy!
From SCCO to Stellar:
a new name and logo
Stellar Child Care Organization (SCCO) is taking a new and important step this year, after opening the Stellar Center in 2025. Thanks to board member Marijke Timmers from The Marketing Collective in New Zealand, our partner organization is introducing a refreshed brand identity, with “Stellar” taking the lead as its main name, alongside a brand new logo. We believe that this marks an important step to professionalize the organization and strengthen its identity, while staying true to its core values: commitment, connection and impact.
And… more Dutch visitors in Cambodia!
After spending nine months in Cambodia last year, our volunteer Judith returned once again to work with Stellar, which of course meant a warm reunion with the team members, friends, and students. There was plenty of outdoor play, and many high‑fives, jokes, and games during her visits to the classrooms. The conversations and reflections with the team were also of great value.
“I am incredibly proud to see the impact of the Stellar Center in the Andong community and the growth the team and the organization have achieved over the past year.” – Judith
Fred (our DARA Europe treasurer) and his wife Elly shared a similar experience during their visit, being able to witness the growth and impact of the organization in Andong, especially when compared to their first visit around 7 years ago. Elly also supported the team with a session on emotional regulation in the classroom, which proved very helpful in addressing everyday challenges.
News from the Netherlands
Kicking off the year with music and joy!
We started off the year in the Netherlands with a great music evening! The band Clap and Tonnies Huiskamer helped us raise funds with a concert held in IJsselstein. Thanks to everyone who attended and donated, it was a great way to kick off 2026 and our year ahead!
Check our social media
If you want to stay updated on our progress and impact in Cambodia, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Vastenactie
Great news from Ter Apel: the students of the Bonifatius School quite literally got moving for someone else. Armed with task cards, they raised a wonderful amount.
A heartwarming example of how children in the Netherlands can make a big difference for children on the other side of the world.
Extra news
We have just finished our annual report, 2025 was one of our biggest years of impact to date and you can explore the results on our website!