Dunboyne youngsters on song to support kids in Cambodia

A DUNBOYNE playschool has launched a fundraising initiative to support children’s education in Cambodia after a visit from international educators inspired a unique music project.

Playschool owner Mag Coogan said the idea came about when visiting teachers from Cambodia heard children singing during an outdoor session.

The ABC Club’s ‘Morning Crew’, a group of four- and five-year-olds preparing to start primary school this September, have since recorded their own song to raise funds for SeeBeyondBorders Ireland.

The charity works to train teachers and improve access to education for children in Cambodia, where many pupils only attend school for a limited number of years.

“We had educators visiting through an Erasmus programme and they told us about the challenges children face in Cambodia,” Mag said. “The children were out singing in the garden and it just planted a seed.”

Following the visit, the playschool reached out to the local community to help bring the idea to life, with local recording studio owner Maria Butterly coming on board to write and record the song with the children.

The group spent weeks practising before heading into the studio, where they recorded the track with the support of a sound engineer.

“They absolutely loved it — going into a real recording studio and seeing how music is made,” Mag said.

The project has also seen wider community support, including a local bus company providing transport free of charge.

Funds raised from the song will go directly to SeeBeyondBorders Ireland, with the aim of helping children remain in education for longer.

“If we can keep even a small number of children in school for an extra year, that’s a big achievement,” she said.

The playschool owner added that the playschool regularly supports both local and international causes. In previous years, children organised a Christmas market selling handmade decorations, raising more than €600 for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, while a recent fundraiser for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice also generated significant support.

“It’s about helping the children understand the wider world and the importance of giving back,” she said.

The song is available to download online via Bandcamp, with all proceeds going towards the work of SeeBeyondBorders Ireland.