Asia Insight: 12x27

Cambodia's Hip-hop School for Children

In 2005, Cambodia’s first alternative school, Tiny Toones, was opened in Phnom Penh. In addition to general subjects, it adds courses on rap and dance into the mix. It was founded by a Cambodian man raised in the United States, who discovered a new purpose imparting his unique knowledge to young people. Most of the students come from impoverished backgrounds, and some enroll after dropping out of the public school system, or fleeing a turbulent family life. The school even provides dormitories to students if needed. In this episode, we meet the staff and children who have created a new place to belong through their shared love of hip-hop.