The gap between the quality of education in Cambodia’s capital and in the countryside couldn’t be more significant. While children in Phnom Penh are often taught by well-qualified teachers with strong academic backgrounds and English language proficiency, students in remote provinces rarely have access to those same opportunities.
In many rural schools, classrooms are overcrowded, making it challenging for teachers to provide each child with the time and attention they deserve. With the Khmer language having the largest alphabet in the world, it takes years of dedication for children to become literate. On top of that, they are confronted with the challenge of also learning the Latin alphabet when studying English.
Sadly, without sufficient academic support from teachers, many children struggle to catch up with the large amount of new material, leaving many feeling discouraged and overwhelmed by the seemingly never-ending amount of material to memorize.
For this reason, extra classes and tutoring are often essential for children in rural areas. Smaller learning groups allow students to review lessons, practice their skills, and ask questions more freely. These extra classes, however, present yet another financial burden for the overwhelmingly poverty-stricken rural communities across Cambodia, once again putting motivated, capable children at a disadvantage as a result.
This is also the case with Dchieng. The twelve-year-old boy is growing up with his single mother Aem and his aunt Onn in Kampot province. Both of them work as seamstresses, and while their income is enough to cover daily necessities and ensure that their basic needs are met, there is little left for additional expenses such as tutoring, English classes, and school supplies.
This is where Thomlang – Cambodian Youth Support stepped in to ensure that Dchieng’s motivation and drive don’t get halted simply because of his familial background. For the past 1,5 years, our NGO has been covering the expenses for his tutor classes and English school, as well as his school supplies.
By easing this financial burden, we can ensure that Dchieng can fully focus on his studies and continue progressing confidently in Secondary School. More importantly, we help protect his dreams from being limited by circumstances beyond his control.
