Build dreams! Send Cambodian Students to College!

Next steps? 

The students in  our " Build Dreams"   program have now  graduated. It is amazing to consider that together we have changed these students'  lives.  So the question becomes, what comes next? In fact,  we are evaluating our next steps. As was the case with all of our programs, the interruptions of COVID had a profound impact. Now as we consider our next steps, we are reminded that we currently have several students  attending  our arts classes at Champey who are still in high school and who show the determination to both stay in school and attend our classes. These students  are from families that would be  unable to even consider helping  with any possible  future tuition. We are now in the very early  stages of internal  discussion  about what might  be next for this program.

It is worth remembering  that in  the US,  nearly  everyone goes to high school and most students  graduate . In  2021 it  was estimated that between 5% and 8% US students dropped  out of  high school.

Similar to the  US, secondary school structure  in Cambodia is broken into 2 segments, lower secondary education which covers grades 7 ~ 9 and  upper secondary education which covers grades 10~ 12.  However,  in 2021, it was estimated by the World Bank that just 57.7% of students finished lower secondary school and of the remaining students, about 65.6% finished upper  secondary school. In plain numeric terms this means that of 100 students, only 58 finish the lower school and of the 58 students remaining,  65.6% or just  38 students will finish  upper secondary school. Of those 38 students, it is currently estimated that 72% or 28 students out of 100 students will pass the national exam for graduation.

Economics plays a big part in the success or failure of students’ ability to finish high school. Many students drop out to find work to help support their families.     And, of course, a high school diploma, which is only obtained after passing the national examination,  is a requirement for college.

We will keep you posted regarding our next steps with this program. A committment to help a college student is a multi-year committment and we must be certain that if we make that committment, we can see it through. 

Thank you for your kind support. Truly, you have changed the lives of our graduates.

Barbara & Mark Rosasco