Free education for 300 children in rural Cambodia

A Legacy of Education and Community Support

Helping Hands Cambodia stands as a powerful example of how education and community effort can transform lives. Sopheap, our dedicated Project Coordinator and long-time teacher, expressed this commitment perfectly: "We never stop. We just keep going and trying hard."

Two Decades of Dedication

For 20 years, Helping Hands Cambodia has worked tirelessly to provide holistic education to the rural community of Prasat Char. Sopheap captured the essence of our mission when he said, "We can change the life cycle." In rural Cambodia, breaking the cycle of poverty starts with access to quality education, opening doors to new opportunities for children and their families.

Transforming Lives Through Education

The impact of education is evident in the success of our students. For instance, one graduate, Borai, pursued IT studies and now works as an IT assistant at a nearby NGO. Another student, Leap, completed his education and became a nurse, commuting from Prasat Char to a hospital in Siem Reap. These stories highlight how access to learning empowers individuals and strengthens entire families, creating a more sustainable future for the community.

Aline, a devoted supporter of Helping Hands Cambodia for two decades, perfectly summed up this philosophy when she recalled an age-old saying: "The village educates a child." At 78, Aline remains an inspiring force, often seen sporting bright blue eyeshadow and a shirt reading, "Stop Wishing, Start Doing." She emphasized the ongoing commitment of families: "Even now, parents are involved in their children's education. When Sopheap calls on them for support, they show up. If you give a child education, you give them a future."

Sovanna, another long-time member of the Helping Hands Cambodia community, admitted that at first, she couldn’t quite envision what a school in her village would look like. "I didn’t know exactly how it would turn out, but I believed it was something we needed," she said. With persistence and hard work, she has watched the school flourish alongside the community.

The Strength of Community Involvement

The success of Helping Hands Cambodia is built on the dedication of an entire village.

In 2005, villagers in Prasat Char approached photographer Deborah Groves with a request—to build a school and improve access to healthcare. Since then, Helping Hands Cambodia has remained a community-driven initiative. Aline fondly recalled the early days: "The first piece of land for the school was donated by a villager."

Sovanna, Aline, and Sopheap all reflected on the incredible number of locals who came together to make the school a reality. An astonishing 99 families volunteered their time and effort to clear the land, demonstrating the collective determination to bring education and better healthcare to their village.

Over the years, community involvement has continued to drive positive change. When floods cut off access to the village, residents worked with Helping Hands Cambodia to build a bridge. When the original school site became prone to flooding, villagers physically relocated the school to a new, safer location. When a young woman expressed a desire to continue learning as an adult, the school provided the materials, and she and her friends built an additional classroom themselves.

Reflecting on the progress of the past 20 years, Sopheap remarked that everything has changed. Aline added, "At first, we had only 60 kids attending school. Now, we have over 350 students and dreams of expanding further." The spirit of "slowly, but surely" has been a guiding force in the school's evolution.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Growth

As Helping Hands Cambodia moves forward, our key goal remains the same: providing well-rounded, high-quality education.

Sopheap envisions expanding the school with a dedicated sports field, computer classes, and a library—resources that would further enrich students’ learning experiences and prepare them for brighter futures. Sovanna hopes that Helping Hands Cambodia will continue to gain recognition in surrounding communities, inspiring more children to pursue education. "I want to see all our students graduate and achieve the jobs of their dreams," she shared.

Many of our graduates have found success working in restaurants, salons, and bakeries in Siem Reap. These opportunities not only transform their lives but also bring valuable skills back to their hometowns, strengthening the entire community.

Aline beautifully captured the essence of our mission: "Education—it's so important. It gives you freedom. You can read, you can write, you can understand." With the ongoing support of our dedicated community, Helping Hands Cambodia will continue empowering students and shaping a brighter future for years to come.

Thank You for Making This Possible

To all of our generous donors, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your support is the driving force behind everything we do at Helping Hands Cambodia. Because of you, children in rural Prasat Char have access to quality education, brighter opportunities, and a future filled with possibility. Every book, every lesson, and every success story is a testament to your kindness and belief in our mission. We truly could not do this without you. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for helping us change lives—one student at a time.