Break Barriers to Education for Cambodian Children

2022 is the first year since the pandemic that all programmes are run in-person again. The legacy of Covid means our Education Programme is more vital than ever. Schools in Cambodia were closed for 250 days during 2020-21. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoeYS) recently revealed alarming findings about the loss of learning experienced by Cambodian students during the pandemic [UNICEF - April 2022]. Over 6,000 students in 230 state schools were assessed across Cambodia, findings show that students who failed to demonstrate basic proficiency increased from 34% (2016) to 45% (2022) in Khmer language and from 49% (2016) to 74% (2022) in Maths. 

The pandemic had wider impacts; we found that families we support were facing unemployment or drastically reduced salaries and left living hand to mouth. Also, 83% of families lost between 40-100% of their income. These economic pressures resulted in some students disengaging from their studies to find work or help with household responsibilities. However, due to the dedication of our Education Team who worked tirelessly to overcome challenges of isolation, lack of technology and economic pressures that families faced; ISF’s dropout rate was over 50% LOWER than the national average - showing testament to our teams’ determined efforts to keep children learning! 

The academic year started in January and 60 new catch-up students, aged between eight- and twelve-years-old, joined our Catch-up Education Programme, studying two grades in one year to catch-up to the education they have missed. 67% of them survive on less than $2.50 a day and had never stepped foot in a classroom before. 

This year, a total of 140 students are catching up to the education they have missed, 488 students have been integrated in the state school system, 30 students are supported in higher education and 25 are receiving employment support. Unfortunately, we couldn’t prevent five of our students from dropping out of school due to poverty and domestic expectations. Our dedicated team of social workers are doing everything they can to support these students and their families with career counselling and support in finding gainful employment. Should they wish to return to school later, we will be here to support them every step of the way. 

Creating sustainable pathways out of poverty has only been possible with your ongoing generosity. Thanks to you, students like Nary* went to school for the first time. She was enrolled in the school’s Catch-up Programme in 2021 after her parents heard about ISF. It’s a lot of catching up academically with Nary studying at a Grade 2 level, but she has made great progress, which is so important for how Nary feels about herself. Her favourite subjects are Maths and English. And “Being able to go to school is my dream come true, and I would like  to see kids my age receiving the same opportunities.” Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop her love of learning. Nary created her own study schedule and communicated regularly via group chats, staying in close touch with ISF teachers and classmates to make sure she didn’t fall behind class and to cope with isolation. The re-opening of ISF school was the best news for Nary. It meant getting back inside the classroom with friends and teachers, making up for lost time when she couldn’t attend school, plus excellent food and playing football – all the things that make Nary happy.

Thank you so much again for everything you have already done to create opportunities and hope for our students and their families. We simply couldn’t do it without you. 

Best wishes, 

Vicheka Chourp 

Country Manager

*Names of children under 18 years old have been changed.

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In Cambodia, extreme poverty forces marginalised children out of the school system. In fact, only 5% of the poorest youth will graduate from secondary school (UNICEF, 2019).  Through ISF’s Education Programme, we break down barriers to education for vulnerable children from two of Phnom Penh’s poorest areas for as long as they remain in school - from basic education on to university and/ or employment. 

We are delighted that, in January of 2022, ISF’s first high school graduate Neng Bunleng has received his Bachelor of Tourism and Creation Management from the National Taiwan University.

Completing high school was a significant milestone in itself for Bunleng. Reflecting on his youth, Bunleng shares that he often didn’t have enough to eat - his family would scavenge for food from the nearby drainage system. When financial instability forced him out of Cambodia’s education system, he fell behind his age-appropriate grade and lost hope for the future.  However, after enrolling in Grade 3 of ISF’s Catch-Up Education Programme, Bunleng and his family received the resources, support, and mentorship to help him become one of three in ISF’s first graduating class of 2017. 

ISF’s support did not stop there though. For youths like Bunleng who want to continue on to higher education, we continue to assist them on their educational journey with a package of specialised support. After briefly studying Business Management at the University of Cambodia, Bunleng received a 50% scholarship from the National Taiwan University in 2018. 

Over the next four years, Bunleng immersed himself in his studies and life in a new country.  Having initially struggled with the language barrier, he quickly became fluent in Chinese and his part-time job in a local shop provided the perfect chance  to improve his language skills. ISF’s Employment Team kept in regular contact with Bunleng to check on his academic progress and wellbeing, offering the necessary support he needed to overcome any challenges he faced along the way. 

Before joining ISF, Bunleng thought he would end up working as a construction worker and had little hope for the future. However, his resilience and hard work to achieve his dream of going to university and studying abroad became a reality and he graduated first in his class with a handful of certifications. 

Inspired by his journey with ISF,  since graduating Bunleng has  joined the team at Formosa Budding Hope Association (FBHA) - a Taiwanese NGO that alleviates poverty through education in Cambodia, India, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Although different from his initial goal of becoming a businessman, he explains: “Poverty means children can’t study in primary school. After learning the impact of their [FBHA’s] work, I wanted to get more involved. What the NGO is doing is similar to what ISF does, and by working with them, I feel that I’m paying back to others.”

Bunleng’s  significant achievement is not only testament to his hard work and dedication, but the ongoing holistic support that has been provided to him through our Education Programme. ISF’s entire team is proud of what Bunleng has achieved and touched that the life-changing programmes have impacted him and inspired him to continue paying it forward. 

Creating Sustainable Pathways Out of Poverty 

For 15 years, ISF has fought to give Cambodian children living in poverty the education, healthcare, and childhood they deserve. While he is the first to graduate from university,  Bunleng joins 64 other ISF students who have completed their education and found gainful employment with our help.

It is only thanks to supporters like you that this has been possible. Your continued support offers youths like Bunleng the tools they need to create sustainable pathways out of poverty. Thank you for your long-lasting generosity. 

The most effective way to help more students like Bungleng is setting up a regular gift to ISF. In a country where only 15% of youth will go on to higher education, your monthly donation to our Education Programme can change a life. If you set up a monthly donation today, GlobalGiving will also match your first donation at 100% after four consecutive payments - making your support go even further! 

Thank you for giving vulnerable children the chance to achieve their dreams. 

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