NEW TEMPLES OF EDUCATION IN SIEM REAP

It’s hard for children to learn if they can’t fit into their classroom, or if their schools are dangerous and dilapidated. One of the legacies of the Khmer Rouge is that many schools in rural areas of Cambodia are overcrowded and in such poor condition that teaching is a major challenge.

AKP is helping to change that. In response to a request from the local education officials in rural Siem Reap, A&K guests gave US$135,000 to fund the construction of two new schools for primary-age students in the villages of Beng and Tapang. The schools opened in 2018 with a total of 18 classrooms as well as toilets (a vital but often overlooked part of educational infrastructure in the region). The schools offer transformative possibilities for children; thanks to the new spacious, dry classrooms, more children can attend regularly and teachers can focus on education rather than maintenance.

More than 263 students in Beng and 472 in Tapang already attend the schools, and there are plans for an increase of around 70 children each year learning a range of subjects. Having a well-equipped school in the village creates an impact beyond education. A sense of social cohesion has been a wider benefit, with local parents, teachers and leaders collaborating to create strong community bonds for the future.