Empowering Cambodian Children with English 2026

Dear Supporters, Teachers, Students, Parents and Family Members,

As we conclude 2025, I am deeply grateful for the strength, hope, and determination that each of you has brought to our school. This has been a year shaped by renewed energy across Cambodia, tourism slowly returning, families regaining stability, and communities placing even greater trust in the power of education. Even with moments of tension along the border, the resilience of our nation remained clear. At ODC, this spirit has guided us daily, shaping how we learned, taught, adapted, and continued moving forward.

We began the year with 296 students and ended with 268, each carrying their own story of perseverance. Attendance remained remarkably strong, with 261 students maintaining rates above 90 percent. More than 72 percent met ODC’s academic expectations and advanced to the next level, an achievement rooted in disciplined routines, strong teaching, and the belief that every child can thrive.

This year also marked an important milestone for our most advanced learners. The top group, having achieved an upper intermediate standard, graduated at the end of the year. While their formal classes at ODC concluded, the majority have chosen to continue learning online with the support of a volunteer teacher. This next step allows them to deepen their English skills, broaden their perspectives, and remain connected to a learning community as they prepare for future opportunities.

Our team made meaningful progress in professional development. Teachers participated in monthly training sessions, strengthened consistency in teaching methods, and engaged in individual mentoring through regular check ins. A major milestone was the success of five teachers who completed their IELTS exams and exceeded ODC’s required benchmark, an inspiring example of dedication and self growth. All staff also completed first aid training with Angkor Hospital for Children and our teachers taught ten health and hygiene lessons that were supported by Cambodia Global Health and World Smiles Mission.

Curriculum development continued to advance, especially for younger learners. Adjustments to course materials, the integration of Everyday English, and refinements in assessment all helped shape a clearer and more effective learning pathway. These insights directly informed the new class structure for 2026, one of the most important decisions we made this year.

As part of our long term sustainability plan, ODC will reduce the number of classes next year. This was not an easy decision. It means that some students will be placed on the waiting list, and it is never easy to turn children away from learning opportunities. Yet this step, even though it may feel like moving back, is in fact a step forward toward greater clarity, stability, and quality. By strengthening the structure now, we protect the long term future of ODC and ensure that every class we offer is well supported, properly staffed, and aligned with a strong curriculum pipeline. This decision also highlights the growing demand for education in our community and the urgent need for more resources so that no child has to wait for a chance to learn.

Our community partnerships continued to enrich our work. ChildSafe International supported our efforts in child protection, volunteers brought energy and meaningful engagement to classrooms, and our collaboration with Dear Me inspired a new spirit of creativity and cultural exchange as we prepare for the February 2026 fashion show, a moment where our children will be able to express their dreams openly, walk with confidence, and feel the freedom to imagine a future far bigger than the one they thought possible. These relationships embody the spirit of connection that sustains ODC.

Operationally, this year was steady and disciplined. With major facility upgrades completed in 2024, our priority in 2025 was maintaining a clean, safe, and functional campus. The Finance Committee continued to provide guidance, and the addition of a local fundraiser strengthened communication with donors and expanded our capacity to plan for the future.

Through every challenge and every achievement, one belief remained constant: education opens doors, and especially at Opening Doors Cambodia, where every lesson, every act of care, and every step forward creates new possibilities for a child’s future. What we accomplished this year was possible only because of the collective effort of teachers, staff, families, volunteers, donors, and students who arrived each day with trust and determination.

As we move into 2026, ODC stands on a firmer foundation. With a clearer curriculum pipeline, a strengthened teaching team, more responsible class structures, and a community united in purpose, we enter the new year with confidence and hope. And while we navigate this transition, we also see clearly how much more we can do with support. Every child placed on the waiting list reminds us that education remains a lifeline and that together, we have the power to open more doors.

Thank you for your trust, your generosity, and your unwavering belief in our mission.

With gratitude,

IM Chhaiya
Founder and Headmaster
Opening Doors Cambodia