We need tech talent in Cambodia. It’s simple - technology isn’t going away and the economy needs to diversify to meet lofty development aspirations. Recent research commissioned by NIPTICT and Smart Axiata - “Cambodia’s Vibrant Tech Startup Ecosystem in 2018” - highlighted technical skills gaps at all levels. While watching the Smartstart Young Innovator finalists compete, Team Raintree is reflecting - what could this country be if every young person was this engaged in their learning and development?
(Congratulations to all our friends at SmartStart, Smart and Impact Hub for another fantastic cohort by the way!).

While there’s a lot of hype about coding programs, churning out uninspired robot coders through a factory floor of matrix-like screens is not the only answer. What if we had a generation of children who were curious about technology, digitally literate and solving complex problems in the world? What if those children learned through joyful and creative playtime instead of boring rote learning? Well we’re excited to explore these possibilities in Cambodia through a new pilot program launching in April this year at Raintree. In partnership with Saturday Kids, Coding Cats is a 5-week program for students aged 15-18 years old, with a playful curriculum based on Scratch coding. Learning objectives include curiosity, imagination, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, plus just having plain fun. Generously supported by USAID’s Development Innovations, the program will offer two courses - Course 1 from 27th April to 25th May, Course 2 from 1st June to 29th June. As a result of this pilot, the program aims to localise the Saturday Kids curriculum to enable more sustainable, long-term interventions in our local school system.

Saturday Kids was founded by John Tan, dad of four and serial entrepreneur. At Saturday Kids, students don't just learn to code. They code to learn. Their mission is to use digital literacy classes to transform kids into self-motivated learners who look at problems and think, "I can figure this out myself". Saturday Kids has taught over 5,000 children through their programs, with top partners such as Google, Cognizant, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, and UWC Southeast Asia.

Interested to join our coding party? We’re calling for trainers to join us on our pilot. Not only will you be trained in the Saturday Kids pedagogy, but also have a chance to visit their campus in Singapore and exchange ideas on educational development. No prior experience is required and read our trainer brief below for details. If you are a student or know students aged 15-18 who might be interested to join our free classes, follow our social media and look out for more announcements coming soon.

APPLY HERE NOW >> for the opportunity to be a pioneering Coding Cat trainer!
*Applications close midnight 24th February.

DOWNLOAD TRAINER BRIEF >> for more details, and see our FAQs below.

**Coding Cats Trainer Info**

Who do you need to be?
You need to have a university degree, currently employed part-time or full-time, and be passionate about technology and education. That’s all! No prior technical experience is required, but any classroom or tutoring experience is a bonus.

When do you need to be available?
You will need to commit to Saturday mornings for 10 consecutive weeks from 27th April to 29th June. You will also need to be available for one of the two-day training workshops offered.

How will you be trained?
You will be provided basic materials for Scratch training to be completed prior to the course (they’re really easy, so no worries!). A two-day training in Singapore will be offered 22nd-23rd March, with a stipend of $100+ per person to support travel expenses. An additional training in Phnom Penh will be offered 5th-6th April should you not be able to attend the Singapore training.

What will you be compensated?
You will receive compensation per course based on hourly rate (Saturday mornings for 5 weeks, 16 hours total classroom time).

Why should I become a trainer?
You will be part of a movement to inspire the next generation of creative and curious young minds through technology, enabled by a community of passionate, kick-a*ss people. And have fun doing it!