Under the Cambodian big blue sky,
Wishing children will be able
to enjoy their “time of the child”,
wishing their joys increase more
on their shining eyes,
and wishing their hearts will be satisfied.
with all such wishes, I established the Small Art School in December of 2008, to provide free art education for Cambodian children. I value children’s creative imagination and I am making efforts to encourage their expression of job.
Tomoko Kasahara
Founder of Small Art School
Who We Are
Small Art School (SAS) is a self-financed art school, founded by a Japanese art teacher – Tomoko Kasahara, with the aim to provide free art education to Cambodian children, especially for those children who have the will to learn but lack the opportunities to do so.
With the goal of helping children, Tomoko and her colleagues aim to provide free and quality education, primarily to children who have the will to learn but lack the opportunities. We promote our students’ creative expression while allowing them to cherish joyful learning experiences as they grow. We are very proud of our students who have deepened and broadened their knowledge and creative abilities through Small Art School’s programs and activities.
Our mission
Tomoko’s long term dream
Bringing the Beautiful to Lives of Cambodian Children
Purchased land in Siem Reap in 2006
Three years after her first visit to Cambodia in 2003, Tomoko retired from her career in Tokyo and came back to Siem Reap all alone with a great cause to be started – Small Art School that provides free art education to underprivileged Cambodian children. The school construction started in June 2007, however, the nearby neighbourhoods paused the process for almost a year, so Tomoko held her first art lesson in Siem Reap orphanage in November 2007 with 25 children attending.
Tomoko found her way to provide all art supplies and teaching materials to her little students. A year after, in 2008, she finally has a chance to open the doors of her Small Art School (SAS) to the children who have a strong desire to learn but lack opportunities to do it. In the same year, Tomoko welcomed a first Small Art School staff member – Hea Cheav.
Hea is an inspiring example of what you can achieve when you really want to learn. A middle brother, he grew up in Beng Melia area with his family and 9 siblings. When Hea turned 6 years old, his father brought him to a temple in Siem Reap as the family could no longer afford to raise all 9 children.
If you are interested in joining our team, please contact us.
