Romi Grossberg moved to Cambodia in 2010 on a two-year placement at Tiny Toones, famous for working with street kids, using hip hop to engage children and teenagers, empowering them to choose a different life away from the streets, the drugs and sex work.

Tiny Toones was founded by Tuy Sobil (aka KK), a Cambodian born in a Thai border refugee camp during the time of the Khmer Rouge. As a toddler he moved to the USA with his family, and by his early teens was a well-known break dancer. Then he became involved in gang life and by 18 was in prison for armed robbery. After serving his sentence, in 2004 he was deported to Cambodia and at 27 started teaching break dance to street kids from his home. In 2007 this was formalised into an NGO and moved to a centre running on donations and grants.

In came Grossberg as a management advisor, a ‘burrung’ or foreigner who had to learn Khmer, as well as how the centre functioned, as it taught not only hip hop and break dance, but also English, Khmer, maths, computer skills, health, hygiene and anti-drug classes to several hundred children aged from four to 20.

She kept copious journal notes as she settled in, became highly attached to some students, was devastated if they lapsed into drug use, and rejoiced as they performed not only in Cambodia, but also in Singapore, Italy and even Australia. Grossberg became deeply invested in the centre, even after her contract finished. She still works in Asia, is a Tiny Toones board member, and is still ‘mum’ to its former students.

Even if you know nothing about hip hop dance, this is an interesting and moving account of how an Australian social worker became deeply involved in a non-government organisation (NGO) in Cambodia aimed at helping street kids.

Reviewed by Jennifer Somerville

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Visit Romi Grossberg’s website