George Jefferies 3/9/25 George Jefferies 3/9/25

On Location in Stung Treng with UNICEF – NGO filmmaker on a case study

While filming an overview video for Generation Future, part of the assignment was to work as an NGO filmmaker to focus on Panha, a girl who joined the Code for Girls programme to work as a student volunteer.

Code for Girls is a project for girls to to learn about coding and engineering, which are both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.

It’s important to encourage girls to participate in STEM subjects as they’re often seen as subjects more suited to boys.

‘Most of the time, girls’ parents don’t let them study STEM subjects,’ says Panha.

‘After completing high school, I’d like to go to university. I’d like to study IT or engineering,’ she adds.

Panha has been interested in robotics since she was young and Code for Girls is a great opportunity for her to learn more.

‘I’ve been interested in this since I was 10. I found out about it on YouTube. There are so many things to watch,’ she says.

‘It’s predominantly men who make robots, but I think women can make them as well. If male students can study IT, why can't girls?’ she adds.

This has been a great opportunity to learn new skills.

‘The most interesting part was drawing a 3D model on the computer. After creating our designs, we got to print them on a 3D printer. I’m really happy, because I’ve never done anything like this before,’ she say.

Over the coming months, Panha will work with her project leaders and peers to train other students as part of the project.

‘I’d like to be able to provide training for girls like me. to improve their skillset and for them to

understand how to put what I teach into practice,’ she says.

‘I would like to encourage all girls to be confident in studying STEM subjects. They can be role models for the next generation of girls to look up to,’ she adds.

I look forward to catching up with Panha in a few months’ time, when we’ll be making a follow up video to see the progress she’s made and how she’s managed to train and empower other girls in her community.

You can read more about the other Generation Future video I made here.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need an NGO filmmaker to work on any upcoming projects

George Jefferies 1/26/25 George Jefferies 1/26/25

Photographing FELM's Bilingual Education Programme in Ratanakiri

Vang Chiva sits at home reading a book in his indigenous language, Ratanikiri Province, Cambodia

Langhav Nangminh leads the class in a song, Ratanikiri Province, Cambodia

Nhu Siha (L) and Moeung Sovan (R) take part in a song in class, Cambodia

Langhav Nangminh reads a book to the class, at a primary school in Ratanikiri Province, Cambodia

Cheat Yut (L) and Vang Chiva (R) read a book in their indigenous language in class, Ratanikiri Province, Cambodia

Tiv Sreypich points and the whiteboard and reads in front of the class

Langhav Nangminh sits at her desk and marks some homework

Somrith Sarom, Director of Ochum District Office of Education, Youth and Sports, poses for a portrait in his office

The first time I visited Ratankiri Province was when I was working with UWS as a videographer. The beauty of the Stoeng Ta Pok river left a lasting impression on me, so I was more than happy when FELM contacted me and asked me to work as a documentary photographer in the province for them.

The work for UWS was to show the schools they build in remote areas and the education projects they run, so I was on familiar ground when FELM, a Finnish NGO, asked me to photograph their bilingual education programme.

FELM have an interesting development model whereby they select and support local NGOs who run projects they believe in.

The partner for this project is International Cooperation Cambodia.

The programme is designed so that children entering school learn in the mother tongue for the first couple of years.

This increases attendance and children learn faster while transitioning to a Khmer education.

For the project we travelled to a small village just outside Banlung and took documentary photographs of a class in action.

The teacher and students were great, the classroom was vibrant and I’m really happy some of the photos I took.

After class, we travelled to one of the student’s houses to see how he carries on learning at home. He lives in a traditional wooden house. I’m really happy with the portraits as the natural light is great and the tone of the wood gives the images warmth.

As part of the assignment, I also photographed commune and provincial levels officials as their support is essential to the implementation of the project.

I enjoy working on education projects as the positive impact is often very apparent. You can see some work I did for World Food Programme here.

George Jefferies 3/23/20 George Jefferies 3/23/20

Samnang's Story - an NGO video for Temple Garden Foundation

It was great working as a videographer on this video for Temple Garden Foundation (TGF), a small NGO based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The video has been a successful fundraising tool to raise much needed funds to help people in Chi Kreang district. Known for its temples, Siem Reap is one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia, so it’s great to be able to support the vital work TGF do.

The Cambodia Run Challenge is an annual event that has been set up to raise money for TGF. If you get the chance please head over to their page and check it out.