Planète Enfants & Développement
Daycares in Cambodia’s Countryside
As part of an innovative project led by the NGO Planète Enfants et Développement and supported by the World Bank, I had the honor of contributing to an initiative aimed at transforming and revitalizing rural Cambodian communities. This project focused on making eight newly built childcare centers more attractive and encouraging families to bring their babies to these facilities.
In Cambodia, childcare centers are a rare and relatively new concept. These new facilities, designed to meet European standards of childcare, provide a safe and stimulating environment at an extremely affordable cost. Their primary goal is to support families, particularly factory workers in nearby areas, by offering accessible childcare that enables parents to balance work and early education for their children.
To integrate these centers into village life and foster community pride, the project included an artistic dimension: the creation of unique murals for each building.
To win the project bid, I proposed a concept that highlights Cambodia’s local flora and faunawith a vibrant yet realistic approach. The murals were designed to:
- Spark interest among children and families while maintaining an aesthetic suitable for all ages.
- Celebrate Cambodia’s natural heritage with accurate depictions of iconic animals and plants, avoiding cartoon-like or overly childish styles.
- Establish a strong visual identity for each childcare center by featuring a distinct totem animal at the entrance, complemented by insects and plants painted on three main walls.
A Vibrant Impact at the Heart of Villages
The murals are more than just decorations; they bring life and color to the village centers, becoming a source of pride and connection for local communities. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the artwork create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of belonging these new facilities inspire.
Each wall tells a story: from majestic elephants to tropical birds, delicate butterflies, and lush plants. These murals celebrate the diversity and beauty of Cambodia’s natural heritage while symbolizing a future where education and community thrive together.
'Océane has created large murals on the walls of our day-care centers, each one different, each one a work of art! It was important to Planète Enfants & Développement and its partners that the buildings be beautiful, colorful and unique, and that the families be proud to send their children there. In addition to her talent, I was amazed by Océane's energy, reliability and autonomy, which she achieved in record time - 4 weeks! I'm so glad I put my trust in her, everything was so easy and the result is top-notch.'
Stéphanie Sell, Director of Planète enfants et Développement
