Lotus Pedals - Help Cambodian Girls Get to School!

In Cambodia, the biggest hindrance to female education is poverty. In addition to having to drop out of school to find work, many girls struggle to find a reliable and safe way of getting to school.

For the young girls who are awarded bicycle scholarships through Lotus Pedals, they would likely not be able to attend school without a bicycle. When girls can stay in school, they have higher earning potential, have children later, and work towards goals and ambitions, ultimately, they go on to benefit themselves and their families. 

Vanny is an 11-year-old girl studying in grade 6. Vanny lives with her mother and brother, they made a meager living from farming. However, in late 2022, their home caught fire and they lost all of their possessions, including Vanny's bicycle.

Vanny's mother didn’t have the funds to buy a new bike for her daughter. for some months, Vanny's brother shared his motorbike with her to get to school. She sometimes arrived late, but she managed to attend class every day. 

In 2023, Vanny recieved a bicycle through Lotus Pedals. When receiving the bike from Lotus Outreach, she was very happy "This bicycle is a big help for my studies and my family. I will take good care of it and will study hard to become a good teacher to educate the young generations so they won't be trapped in poverty."

Thank you for supporting girls like Vanny in reaching school. 

With the start of the new academic year in January, Lotus Outreach Cambodia worked to give as many bicycles as possible to girls who live far from the nearest school. Bicycles ensure students can get to school safely and on time. This month, 225 bicycles together with pumps, locks, repair kits and helmets have been distributed to underprivileged girls from 4 schools in remote districts of Siem Reap Province and NGO students in Siem Reap City and Phnom Penh Capital. 

Pea is a student at Bayon Primary School Project, one of our partners in Siem Reap. Her family lives in a protected area, in which they are not entitled to ownership of the land nor are they allowed to do any business. Her family’s only income is her father’s wage as a construction worker, which is not regular. 

This year Pea is going to grade 7 which is 4 km from her home. It is already challenging for her parents to put food on the table and to keep Pea and her two siblings in school, let alone get her a bicycle. Her father used to get up early to take Pea to school on his old motorbike before heading to work and she either got a lift back home or waited for almost an hour for her father to leave work and pick her up. 

Now, with a bicycle that gives her freedom and reliable transportation to and from school, Pea is determined to study hard to become a teacher and educate the young generation so they won't be trapped in poverty.  "This gift means so much to me. I now can travel to and from school by myself. I am very grateful. I will take good care of the bike." 

Thank you for being a part of our global community. Your support ensures access to education and empowerment for the most vulnerable through LO’s simple, innovative solutions. We couldn't have made it possible without your generous and ongoing support.