Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Rural Cambodia

Every day many children in Cambodia must walk long distances to get to school, meaning they arrive physically tired and mentally drained before class even starts. This situation is exacerbated in Siem Reap province because it is one of the poorest in Cambodia, where children typically walk to school. The reality is that walking long distances limits the students’ capability to succeed and disincentivizes school attendance. To address this problem, Trailblazer Foundation provides bicycles to students in Siem Reap Province, allowing for the students and their families to have more mobility and save valuable time.

When Seyha was 17 years old and a student in his eighth year of school, he received a bicycle from Trailblazer. He reports his studies and day-to-day life were greatly improved with the time gained from biking as opposed to walking to school. It used to take him thirty minutes to walk the 10 kilometers to school, and then it took him only five to ten minutes with his new bicycle. On the weekends, his parents borrowed the bicycle to get to and from the market to buy food for Seyha and his two younger brothers at a much faster pace than before!

His father finished his studies through grade eighth and his mother did not even go to school, so Seyha was excited to be able to attend high school and complete his studies, as he aspired to become a mathematics and chemistry teacher.  The school that Seyha attended, Chea Smun Secondary School, had only has six teachers for 176 students.  With Seyha finishing school and becoming a teacher, it greatly helped the Cambodian education system at large.

We are happy to report that Trailblazer was successful and recently received a grant for 50 bicycles. However, this grant brings us only half way to our goal of 100 bicycles for 2018. It is our hope that donors like you will help us get to the finish line with another 50 bicycles.

Students are counting on our and your help, and are waiting in line to receive a bicycle. These educational needs cannot be met to help keep students in school without the support of donors like you. Thank you for making our work possible, and helping these students reach their life goals.