Education Cambodia Project #27300

Support 2000 Students in Cambodia

by This Life Cambodia

Project Report | Jun 5, 2025
This Life In School (TLIS) - Support 2000 Students in Cambodia

By Narath Keo | Program Coordinator

Studying materials and bicycle distribution

Project Progress Update: February - May 2025

At This Life, we are committed to empowering Cambodian students through education by promoting educational equity and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Over the past four months, our Support 2000 Students in Cambodia project has made significant progress in removing barriers to education, particularly for the most marginalised children in remote communities.

Key Achievements and Impact Highlights

Our targeted awareness campaigns and reading events have reached over 1,000 community members, reinforcing the importance of inclusive education for all.

Total students and stakeholders engaged: 1,092 (666 females, 422 males, and 4 individuals with disabilities)
Gender and inclusion breakdown: 60.99% female, 38.64% male, with 0.37% representation of individuals with disabilities
Bicycles distributed: 16
School infrastructure improvements: One school garden, one school gate, and one bicycle shelter completed
Teacher support: Two eclectic fans for the teacher homestay delivered

Inclusive Community Involvement

We actively collaborated with the Department of Education, local authorities, School Management Committees, school principals, teachers, parents, and students. This inclusive, community-driven approach strengthens local ownership and accountability, laying the groundwork for sustainable improvements in educational outcomes.

Promoting Literacy and Inclusion

Our reading events and awareness campaigns not only highlight the importance of education but also address the unique challenges faced by marginalised groups—especially girls and children with disabilities. These activities contribute to a more supportive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment.

Addressing Challenges with Practical Solutions

Rural students in Cambodia face many obstacles—limited access to schools, a lack of resources, and unsafe learning environments. We have taken the following steps to address these issues:

Improving School Environments:

Constructed school gardens to promote environmental education and healthy lifestyles
Built school gates to enhance safety and create welcoming entrances
Installed bicycle shelters to support safe and reliable transport

Supporting Teachers and Students:

Supplied essential materials to support teacher homestays, enabling committed educators to remain in remote communities
Provided study materials and distributed 16 bicycles to vulnerable students, particularly those reintegrated into their communities after leaving residential care, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds

Building a Brighter Future Together

Our holistic approach combines awareness-raising initiatives with practical, on-the-ground support—addressing both the social and physical barriers to education. By engaging the wider community and focusing on the needs of girls and children with disabilities, we are creating safer, more inclusive, and empowering learning environments.

With your continued support, we can reach even more students and help every child in Cambodia realise their full potential.

Thank you for believing in the power of education. Your generosity is transforming lives and helping build a brighter, more equitable future for Cambodia’s children.

School garden construction

Bicycle distribution to vulnerable students

Education campaign with students and stakeholders

Education awareness campaign with students

Teacher homestay with material support

Links:

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Feb 5, 2025
This Life in Schools (TLIS) Updates

By Narath Keo | Program Coordinator

Beneficiaries with bicycle and study materials

Project Update: Support 2000 Students in Cambodia
October 2024 - January 2025

The This Life in Schools (TLIS) programme continues to make remarkable progress in expanding access to education in Siem Reap Province. Through our community-driven approach, we are addressing critical challenges that prevent children from completing their education, particularly in rural areas where only 40% of students reach Grade 9.

Key Achievements

Youth Development and Education

A total of 77 participants (including 26 young women, one with disabilities) engaged in 20 personal development sessions covering critical topics such as relationships, emotional management, legal awareness, child rights, substance abuse prevention, coping skills, financial literacy, job seeking, and labour rights. These sessions aimed to empower students for responsible adulthood by enhancing their life skills and promoting mental well-being.

In addition to group sessions, 34 instances of one-on-one support were provided to participants facing challenges during their skill-learning experiences. The training encompassed essential life skills, with a strong emphasis on female participation, and included topics such as goal setting, stress management, and career guidance. This equips participants with valuable tools for both personal and professional growth.

To address dropout rates and improve attendance, programme staff implemented counselling support and conducted regular home visits. These collective efforts reflect a dedicated commitment to empowering individuals through education and support while fostering community resilience and entrepreneurship.

A particularly significant achievement has been our support of the Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP), where 41 out of 42 enrolled students (including five young women, with no identified disabilities) successfully passed their examinations. This initiative enables learners to complete their lower secondary education through free online courses without disrupting their full-time skill-learning commitments. With technical support from the programme team, students who complete BEEP receive a certificate equivalent to Grade 9, accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT). This certification allows them to enrol in skills training at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes under MLVT or continue at General and Technical High Schools under MoEYS.

Testimony from a BEEP Graduate:

"I am thrilled to say that I will receive two certificates at once—my skill certification and the BEEP certificate. This accomplishment means a great deal to me and will enable me to continue my education at a government skills institution, helping me reach higher levels of vocational training. Thanks to This Life, I have been given a tremendous opportunity—not just for myself, but for others who have missed out on formal education."

Addressing Project Challenges

Tackling School Dropout Rates

Our multi-faceted approach has made significant strides in addressing accessibility issues. We have:

Distributed 21 bicycles to students (including three girls, with no identified disabilities) facing transportation challenges.
Provided 109 students (including 42 girls, with no identified disabilities) from disadvantaged families with uniforms and educational materials.
Strengthened community support systems through capacity-building initiatives.
Recognised the importance of family support in educational success by distributing food packages to 25 families to help meet their basic needs.

Providing bicycles and educational materials has had a tangible impact, improving school attendance and easing financial burdens on families. Students now arrive at school on time more consistently, and participation in vocational training courses has increased.

Community Engagement

The TLIS team’s active participation in the Siem Reap Education Support Team (SEST) has fostered valuable partnerships with nearly 40 NGOs. This collaboration has enhanced resource allocation efficiency and improved teacher training initiatives, creating a more robust educational support network.

Our involvement in the Provincial Education Support Working Group has strengthened local partnerships and improved community capacity for managing school improvement projects. This collaborative approach ensures sustainable, community-led solutions for long-term educational development.

Looking Forward

Our commitment to supporting 2,000 students in Cambodia remains strong as we continue to:

Empower communities to manage their own school improvement projects.
Provide essential educational resources to disadvantaged students.
Strengthen local education networks.
Create sustainable solutions for long-term educational development.

Your continued support enables us to break down educational barriers and create lasting change in Cambodia’s education system. Every contribution, whether $10 for a school uniform or $300 for a school garden, directly impacts a student’s ability to access quality education.

Personal Development Training for students

TLIS team's active participation in SEST Meeting

A computer training class for BEEP examination

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Oct 8, 2024
This Life In Schools Update

By Narath Keo | Project Leader/Program Coordinator

Staff participated in a national network meeting

Transforming Education in Cambodia: This Life In Schools

In the heart of rural Cambodia, where educational challenges persist, This Life In Schools (TLIS) continues to make significant strides in empowering communities and transforming the educational landscape. Our mission to enhance access to quality education remains unwavering, particularly in areas where only 55.34% of children complete grade 9, according to the Education Management Information System (EMIS) 2023-2024.

Community Empowerment and National Collaboration
At the core of our approach is the belief that lasting change comes from within communities. This quarter, we have taken important steps to strengthen this foundation:

National Network Engagement
A key TLIS representative participated in a national network meeting, exploring innovative strategies to enhance student learning performance and encourage longer school retention. This collaboration at the national level not only reinforces our commitment to systemic change but also allows us to bring fresh perspectives and best practices back to the communities we serve.

Breaking Barriers to Education
Understanding that physical and material barriers often hinder educational progress, we have implemented targeted interventions to support the most vulnerable students:

Unlocking Educational Potential with Basic Support: In our ongoing efforts to create an equitable educational environment, we provided essential support to 22 students from the most disadvantaged families. These students received school uniforms and study materials, a seemingly simple gesture that carries profound implications:
- It removes visible markers of economic disparity in the classroom
- Boosts students' confidence and sense of belonging
- Allows students to focus on learning rather than worrying about their appearance or lack of supplies
Bridging the Distance to Education: Recognising that distance can be a significant obstacle to regular school attendance, we took a practical approach to address this challenge. Eleven students were provided with bicycles, empowering them to overcome geographical barriers to education. This initiative:
- Reduces travel time and physical exertion for students
- Increases the likelihood of regular school attendance
- Potentially decreases dropout rates by making education more accessible

Impact and Future Directions
The ripple effects of these interventions extend far beyond the immediate beneficiaries:

Community Engagement: By involving local communities in school development, we are fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability in education initiatives.
Equity in Education: Our targeted support helps level the playing field, giving disadvantaged students a fair chance at academic success.
Long-term Societal Impact: By increasing school retention and completion rates, we are contributing to the overall development and economic prospects of these communities.

As we look to the future, TLIS remains committed to:

Expanding our reach to more disadvantaged communities across Siem Reap of Cambodia
Strengthening partnerships with local authorities and education stakeholders
Developing innovative strategies to address the root causes of school dropouts
Continuously evaluating and refining our approaches based on community feedback and outcomes

Your continued support is crucial in helping us create lasting change in Cambodia's education system. Every uniform, every bicycle, and every engaged community member brings us one step closer to a future where all Cambodian children have the opportunity to complete their education and build brighter futures.

Thank you for being an integral part of this transformative journey. Together, we are not just supporting schools; we are nurturing dreams, empowering communities, and shaping the future of Cambodia.

Students received support with study materials

The program team provided a bicycle to a student

TLC team with students receiving study materials

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