Tales of Tonlé Sap

A Lifeline of Learning on Tonlé Sap

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s Tonlé Sap is renowned for its floating villages. In the 10 floating villages that comprise the lake’s Kampong Khleang community, the rise and fall of the water is part of daily life. To adapt to the lake's fluctuating water levels, the locals build their houses and businesses on boats and stilts.

Each September, water levels begin to rise with the coming of the wet season, isolating the locals of Kampong Khleang from the buildings on the mainland. This is particularly challenging for the children. Finding themselves cut off from their schools, many are forced to stay in their floating homes till the waters recede again in February.

To address this urgent situation, AKP partnered with the Kampong Khleang community in 2024 to build the Bridge of Life School, a place where children of Outa Put Village and its surrounding areas can continue to learn and grow throughout the wet season. Built on stilts, the school comprises four classrooms that host a computer lab, library corner, padded play area and a restroom.

In addition to serving over 50 children, the school also offers vocational training in sewing and tailoring, building a path for gainful employment where opportunities are scarce.

Looking forward, AKP plans to broaden its outreach to the Kampong Khleang community by supporting initiatives such as boathouse construction for families in need, waste collection campaigns, medical clinics, children’s clothing and shoe drives, solar panels for homes and public spaces, a clean water reservoir, and enriching excursions for the local children.

There’s still much to do, but with a safe, dry place to learn year-round, the children of Kampong Khleang now have the makings of a brighter tomorrow.