Summary
Literacy and education play a vital role in raising living standards. With good education comes improved job opportunities, which enable Cambodians to better provide for their families and future generations. The harsh regime of the Khmer Rouge targeted educated Cambodians and by 1978 most teachers and writers in the country had been executed, and most books and libraries had been destroyed. Even today public libraries are scarce, especially in rural areas.
Khmer Akphiwat Khmer Organization (KAKO), our partner in Cambodia is active in non-formal education and community development projects in the province of Siem Reap.
After we began our support of the seven village libraries, these places have transformed into both community libraries, as well as functional spaces for meetings, events and even some of KAKO’s preschools.
These libraries are not only a resource to support further education and literacy, but functional centres for many community activities.
Background
Between 1998 and 2015 literacy rates in Cambodia increased by only 10% (UNESCO 2015)*. This is due in part to the lack of resources, especially in rural areas of the country where libraries are practically non-existent and books are considered a luxury.
Responding to the high rates of illiteracy in the Siem Reap province of Cambodia, the Khmer Akphiwat Khmer Organization (KAKO) constructed 18 libraries in some of the region’s poorest villages as part of a comprehensive educational programme. The libraries became operational in 2002 as a post-literacy project to encourage new readers, students and adults to maintain and further develop their reading and writing skills.
In 2010, bad luck struck twice: Funding to maintain and operate these libraries came to an end and flooding caused damage to four libraries.
KAKO approached us for support to restore seven of the 18 original libraries and renovate those damaged by the flood. Recognising the important need for this project, we secured funding for the seven village libraries, which reopened in 2013.
Goals and Results
All seven libraries are currently in operation and are used for community activities including English classes, Public Health workshops, training, village meetings and more. The libraries receive daily newspapers and magazines, and circulate books between different library locations every two to three months to ensure villagers have access to a variety of reading materials. Currently the libraries have over 150 books, and each library is staffed with a librarian who has attended a capacity training workshop run by KAKO.
The libraries also collaborate with KAKO’s other projects and are used as preschool classrooms and vocational training centres.
In the 2017-2018 project period two of the libraries were relocated, four of the libraries required maintenance and repairs and additional activities were supported to further encourage use of the libraries.
Sponsors
What's Been Happening Recently
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁!
"Ten years ago we supported Dok Srei-ny with an education scholarship for the last 3 years of her secondary school. And recently, after a wait of 4 years, she just received her diploma from University of South East Asia in Siem Reap!
Today, Dok Srei-ny is giving back, as a grade 4 at Stung Preah Srok Primary School (one of 4 remote rural village schools we support in Cambodia). It's inspiring to see her not only achieving her dreams but also contributing to the education of others.
This incredible journey was made possible, all thanks to the generous support of our sponsor and former volunteer, Melanie Naegeli and her family. Their dedication not only empowered Dok Srei-ny but now plays a pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for others.
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗸-𝗦𝗿𝗲𝗶 𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆:
bit.ly/3uetMce
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗔𝗞𝗢 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲:
bit.ly/40yLLGt
#KAKO #Education #Cambodia #SiemReap #PhilanthropyConnections
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KAKO!
What excellent news! We‘re very proud of Dok Srey Ny‘s journey and wish her and her pupils nothing but health and happiness.
We are so proud of you, Srey Ny, and thank you Philanthropy Connections for your support for Sreyny. It's always good to see she's growing and even better to see her contribution back to the society. Again, thank you all donors :)
Srey Ny!
𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧
Meet Hoeng Vorleak, a 17-year-old scholarship student in rural Cambodia who is currently in Grade 11 in High School.
In a letter to her sponsor, Hoeng Vorleak wrote, "I would like to wish you a long and beautiful life, safe travels, happiness, and more love from the people around you. I commit myself to studying hard, doing my best, and listening to the teachers to achieve good results."
She is one of 63 students we support in Cambodia. We provide them with scholarships so that they can create better opportunities in life for themselves and their families, and strive for better circumstances than those they currently live in.
We extend our gratitude to Hoeng Vorleak’s sponsors, Reineke Bakhoven and Frank de Vos, for generously supporting three students per year since 2017.
For more information about this project click here:
philanthropyconnections.org/project/scholarships-for-cambodian-girls
#KAKO #ScholarshipStudent
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𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧
Meet Oun Saorai, a 14-year-old scholarship student in rural Cambodia who is currently in Grade 7 at Dontro Secondary School.
In a letter to her sponsor, Oun Saorai wrote, "I would like to wish you and your family the best of luck, good health, and happiness in your life. I am committed to my studies in order to achieve good results or the top rank in the class."
She is one of 63 students we support in Cambodia. We provide them with scholarships so that they can create better opportunities in life for themselves and their families, and strive for better circumstances than those they currently live in.
We extend our gratitude to Oun Saorai’s sponsors, Reineke Bakhoven and Frank de Vos, for generously supporting three students per year since 2017.
For more information about this project click here:
philanthropyconnections.org/project/scholarships-for-cambodian-girls
#KAKO #ScholarshipStudent
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