Financial Report for 2025
Our association Don du Chœur (DDC), which has been dedicated for 23 years to the education of vulnerable children, committed this year to launching a solidarity “Dictée du Chœur” in Geneva in collaboration with the Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées. Furthermore, Don du Chœur succeeded in making a strong contribution to the development of its three educational projects in Mexico, Madagascar and Cambodia.
2025 is a pivotal year that strengthens the appeal and responsiveness of Don du Chœur and marks the progressive empowerment of certain educational projects.
- A consolidation of our financial partners, with the return of Fondation Coromandel which had supported our educational projects for 22 years, the generosity of the Third World Foundation and the involvement of new private donors.
- The impact of a musical event in support of the Mexico project: 39 concerts had been organised in 2024 in Geneva’s old town by the association Musique et Vie for the benefit of the Santa Cecilia music school. The support generated in 2025 exceeded all our expectations.
- Strong involvement from Geneva’s private schools: the Institut International de Lancy donated 37 second-hand iPads to pupils at the Ta Pen primary school in Cambodia. Around ten Geneva private schools agreed to take part in the solidarity Dictée du Chœur to gradually enable those same primary school pupils to attend school full-time.
- Contacts with new partners in the field of music in Geneva, in search of new skills that reinforce our association’s credibility and prepare its future.
- The signing of two agreements and a cooperation accord, in Mexico, Madagascar and Cambodia respectively, which define a precise framework for the development and empowerment of Don du Chœur’s educational projects.
DDC’s profile has also grown thanks to Don du Chœur newsletters and social media coverage, with news videos posted regularly on Facebook and Instagram.
Here are the main initiatives that mobilised our energy across many fields in 2025.
ACTIONS IN GENEVA
In summer, the arrival of La Roue du Chœur in Geneva
Our Don du Chœur committee organised, together with the LO family and the Association Genevoise des Cambodgiens, a day of festivities to welcome Anne-Claire and Vincent from La Roue du Chœur at the end of August, after their 800 km cycling journey to fund the secondary school and vocational training studies of our Ta Pen students in Cambodia. They succeeded in raising 28’640.-, providing a scholarship for 88 students.
At year’s end, the launch of the Dictée du Chœur
Our Don du Chœur Committee prepared a solidarity Dictée du Chœur to expand the Ta Pen primary school in Cambodia and enable children to receive full-time schooling. This project received approval from the committee of the Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées (AGEP) at the end of November. The Dictée is currently being organised.
ACTIONS IN MEXICO
Three major initiatives were carried out in Mexico in 2025 thanks to the generosity and solidarity of many partners and friends of Don du Chœur.
1). Salaries and university scholarships
The Musique & Vie 2024 concerts raised the sum of CHF 26’210, which was allocated in full to the Santa Cecilia school in March and July 2025 under a tripartite agreement signed on 8 March 2025 with the association Juventud y Communidad (which manages the school), the French association La Banda de Musica (which supports the school) and Don du Chœur.
The purpose of these concerts was clear: to fund the salaries of teachers at the Santa Cécilia music school and scholarships for 6 students enrolled at the Music University of Mexico City, the UNAM.
- Salaries of 7 teachers in 2025: MXN 408’706, i.e. CHF 18’000.
- Scholarships for 6 students in 2025: MXN 188’000, i.e. CHF 8’200
- Equipment purchase: CHF 700
Teachers’ salaries are covered at 50%, except for the percussion teacher who is covered at 100%.
The 6 UNAM scholarship holders specialise in different disciplines: Erick (bassoon), Joaquin (trombone), Sandra (flute), Gustavo (trombone), Mayo (cello), Mabel (violin). This reinforces the quality and diversity of the teaching provided by the Santa Cecilia Music School.
2). Opening of a percussion class
Thanks to the association ASENT (a donation of CHF 10’000 for Mexico) and the on-site work of a retired percussion teacher, Christophe Le Marec, the Santa Cecilia music school was able to open a percussion class.
A young Mexican musician, Ana Paula, now leads a class of 7 percussion students. She was recruited during the year and ASENT paid her salary and the purchase of small percussion instruments (CHF 1’400.-). We will continue to fund her salary and some materials in 2026 and 2027 for a total annual amount of CHF 4’500.-.
3). Construction of the individual study rooms “Cubiculos” completed.
Thus concludes in 2025 the construction of the 12 individual study rooms funded by Don du Chœur and Fondation Air France. This phase marks the end of the expansion works at the Santa Cecilia music school.
ACTIONS IN MADAGASCAR
In Madagascar, our school and community support project, developed over three years in collaboration with SOS Villages d’Enfants, is recording significant results (agreement of 25 November 2022 and addendum of 17 December 2025) despite the logistical and political constraints that impact regional decision-making.
This project, implemented in the commune of Andohasatra in southern Madagascar, operates in a context of severe socio-economic vulnerability, with limited access to basic social services and high risks for children (school dropout, violence, child labour). The project aims to strengthen family economic conditions, access to education and healthcare, as well as the community protection of children and women.
Economic strengthening of families
During 2025, Income-Generating Activities (IGA) were developed for the benefit of 40 beneficiary families. Three sectors adapted to the local context: goat farming, basket weaving and beekeeping.
The families received training in simplified management, production and marketing techniques, along with 40 vaccinated goats, 20 equipped beehives and 400 rolls of raffia…
The construction of a community sales point enabled them to sell their products. The creation of community savings systems (VOAMAMI) strengthened their financial autonomy and collective momentum. Income progress will be assessed at the end of the project (December 2026).
Access to education and school retention
DDC continued to support the education of children in the community.
→ Primary education: 200 pupils from the Andohasatra Public Primary School (EPP) received school supplies.
→ Secondary education: 30 middle and high school students in Betioky (19 girls and 11 boys), all from families involved in the Income-Generating Activities. These 30 students received comprehensive support including school fees, supplies, school meals, academic monitoring and tutoring. Their families funded their accommodation in Betioky. Despite some dropouts linked to family mobility, the 2025-2026 school year appears to be progressing well.
Access to healthcare
Outpatient consultations were provided in conjunction with the PMI health centre in Betioky. 864 people received free consultations and medication. These services were suspended during the midwife’s maternity leave but resumed after medication restocking.
Protection of children and women
A Community Listening and Monitoring Cell (CEV), made up of 16 members, provided prevention and community monitoring to protect the rights of children and women. Important actions were carried out (training, awareness campaigns, radio broadcasts…). A partnership with the Ministry of Population strengthened the protection of victims of violence. These positive parenting activities reached 714 parents and adults, exceeding initial objectives.
Conclusion and outlook
2025 recorded significant results in terms of education and community development. The Andohasatra Public Primary School (EPP), built by DDC, was handed over to the authorities in 2018; unfortunately we no longer have oversight of its management. Our focus therefore remains on consolidating the IGAs, supporting middle and high school students in Betioky to continue their education beyond primary level, and sustaining community protection and savings mechanisms.
Expenditure on this project since December 2022 totals 44’154.11 euros as of end of February 2026 (out of the 50’000 euros received by SOS Villages d’Enfants from DDC) according to the narrative and financial reports of SOS Villages d’Enfants.
Total expenditure for 2025 amounted to 20’889 euros, of which: 8’676.18 euros for access to social services (education, IGA, healthcare); 650.87 euros for community and child protection. Other expenditure covers salary costs, information/visibility and general overheads.
ACTIONS IN CAMBODIA
Our rural school of Ta Pen, which in 2025 caters to 582 pupils, including 293 girls, from early childhood through to the end of middle school (Swiss orientation cycle).
1. New developments for nursery and primary
- 423 pupils including 203 girls
- 12 teachers including 3 DDC part-time staff (English, sport and nursery)
- English from level 3 onwards
- English training by TDSO – Active teaching methodology.
2. Strengthening of secondary education
- 159 middle school pupils including 90 girls
- 8 qualified teachers
- Stability of the teaching team despite a significant increase in teaching hours.
- 50% of middle school teachers are recruited by DDC to compensate for the absence of science subjects (maths, biology, physics/chemistry) and English.
A year of strong results for middle and high school students
100% pass rate in the end-of-middle-school examinations (brevet)
96% pass rate for high school students in Grades 10 and 11.
Baccalaureate results: 5 pupils passed (out of 7).
A surge in the number of pupils continuing their studies at high school or in vocational training thanks to DDC’s support (66 pupils including 44 girls in 2025, compared to 56 pupils in 2024).
3. First university graduates
Eight former Ta Pen pupils who obtained their baccalaureate in 2020, enrolled in Cambodia’s top universities, received their university degrees this year (Bachelor’s degree, Bac +4). They chose very diverse fields of study in Mathematics, Physics, Khmer Literature, History, Law… and all now hold rewarding jobs, often in private schools.
DDC wished to celebrate this milestone with them during its visit to Cambodia in February 2025, at a ceremony held in the presence of their teachers, their parents, and all the high school students, to share this historic achievement with them.
4. Welcoming displaced children
Border clashes resumed on 8 December 2025 with new exchanges of fire at the border and strikes by the Thai air force inside Cambodia. To ensure the safety of the population, the government ordered more than 500’000 people to leave the conflict zones.
The Ta Pen pagoda welcomed 58 families from the provinces of Otdar Meanchey and Preah Vihear. 55 children are enrolled at Ta Pen primary school and receive, like all other pupils: a uniform, a schoolbag, a pencil case and one meal per day. They also attended a Health Club performance to learn how to brush their teeth. All these additional costs are funded by a Franco-Khmer foundation.
5. Improved accommodation for girls studying at Prasat Bakong
All former Ta Pen pupils studying at Prasat Bakong High School are accommodated on site. Don du Chœur rents a house for the girls and a house for the boys.
The girls’ house primarily required renovation work in terms of hygiene (construction of toilets and showers) as well as the fitting out of a study room with internet access. These works were carried out in September 2025 for USD 4’001 and allow high-level external trainers to come and teach pupils in decent conditions.
Communication activities were regularly developed by Don du Chœur, ranging from updating the website, to expanding our social media presence, in particular through the production and sharing of videos, and the publication of two newsletters.
Acknowledgements
All of Don du Chœur’s activities are carried out by volunteers whose personal commitment ensures that 100% of donations are allocated to the projects.
The Don du Chœur committee extends its heartfelt thanks to these volunteers on behalf of all the children, near and far.