The complex would be no larger than a modern suburban block of land in Australia. It hosts five classrooms (roofed, but only semi-enclosed with lattice)...
...and an office with a library and 'computer room' attached, which line two of outer walls of of the compound. The centre space of the compound - about 10 X 5 metres - is a dirt area where the kids can play soccer and other outdoor games. They are building three more classrooms on the remaining side of compound, all thanks to generous donations.
I first found myself in the computer room. I was given the job of putting back together the two functioning computers that remain after the total five computers went under in the last monsoonal flood; an annual event for which they are trying to organise preventative flooding plans at present. I finally connected up the two working desktops and managed to get them running and connected to the internet. But there is still more to be done to clean up the room. Especially when you look at the electricity that runs under the benches and gets submerged in every flood!
Later I helped out in one of the classes. Today I was just familiarising myself with the kids, teachers and processes, so I mostly observed after a brief introduction to the kids. It was great though! The students in this class ranged from eight through to eighteen. They all come to the school at the completion of their school day - if they receive state education and can afford the state school fees - and after their chores. Education in Cambodia is only run for half a day and the rate of enrolment drops from primary to secondary. USAID data shows that in 2011 primary enrollment reached 96% of the child population, but lower secondary school only hit 34% and upper secondary 21%. That said however, the kids are inquisitive, jovial, but attentive, and embrace the opportunity to learn English with raging enthusiasm - there is something to be said about the apathy of Australian students when contrasted with Khmer kids. They see English as the key to breaking the poverty cycle with added opportunity to obtain work in the increasing tourist industry here. Not only does the school offer classes in English, but it also offers futures to the students.
I went out for dinner with the school's founder and director Togh Main, his family and his adopted Australian mother Claire (the owner if the guesthouse I'm staying at). It was great to listen to Togh's innovative and compassionate ideas on how he is changing the lives of those Khmer kids that come to the school. In addition to the English classes, Togh obtains sponsors for students that finance their university degrees in their life beyond the school. His association has also created projects such as fish farms and rice paddies and he gives micro-loans to people to run the farms or other initiatives in order to earn an income and give them a future free of poverty. Another fantastic way in which he builds capacity in people is through his building project that focuses on providing free dwelling to the families of rural students for a period of three years while their children are at the school. During this time parents can focus on work prospects without worrying about the education, housing and feeding of their families. What a wonderfully ingenious method of building and spreading wealth. The other initiative that I particularly like is what I term a 'circle of productivity'. The students from the school are either employed by the school as teachers or at the Guesthouse as staff after the completion of their studies. This gives the students a place to apply and consolidate their education while learning other skills that will benefit them for future employment. The other benefit is that the workers are so gracious for their opportunity that they work so productively within the positions as if it were their family business.
Togh, a former monk, now derobed, is turning people's lives around in Siem Reap with nothing more than love and compassion fuelling an engine of innovative thinking.
Until next time...
R
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