Support a rural Cambodian school

In December of 2016 and January of 2017, we traveled back to Cambodia from our homes in the United States. Following the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge and Cambodian Genocide, my parents immigrated to the US in 1992 with four kids.  I still have many relatives still living in Cambodia. 

In Chamkar Kouy, a village 45 minutes outside Phnom Penh, the capital, we visited a school with 800 students in grades 1 through 6. They are taught by just 13 teachers, and the school struggles to provide school supplies, books and education materials for their students due to lack of funding. My cousins go to this school and my uncle is a retired teacher here.

For most Cambodians, education is the only means of escaping poverty, but access to education or the funds to support it prevent many from reaching their full potential. The Human Development Report estimates that for every one thousand Cambodians born today, almost a third will never have the chance to attend school and half will not complete primary school. Parents in Cambodia are not indifferent. In one of the world's poorest countries, families assume two-thirds of the cost of maintaining a public school system, possibly the highest rate in Asia. For each year of schooling, the future earning potential of a child grows 5-15%. In additional to economic growth, education has been shown to improve health outcomes for generations, and to foster greater gender equality.

We left Chamkay Kouy knowing that we could help the students and teachers there. For just $5, $20, $75, or $250, you are able to make an incredible difference in the life of a child in Chamkar Kouy. In both the short and long term, investments in education improve the lives of children and their families, their communities and their economies. Education has the power to transform Chamkay Kouy.

Combatting poverty requires action now, and we want you to be a part of our mission to support the school in Chamkay Kouy. It starts with one child, one classroom, one school, and one community. Please donate and share this campaign.

To thank you for your contribution and to foster your connection to the village of Chamkay Kouy, our reward levels include photographs taken by children at the Cambodia YMCA Youth Institute.

$5 buys supplies and books for one child. For donations of $5 or above, we will send you a thank you postcard featuring a photograph taken by a student.

$20 buys classroom teaching materials, and gives teachers the tools they need to teach large classes. For donations of $20 or above, we will send you an archival quality photo print taken by a student.

$75 buys books for a class of children, and enables them to learn together. For donations of $75 or above, we will send you an 11x14 photo screen print donated by Trifecta Editions.

$250 can provide a classroom with maps and teaching tools as well as writing and drawing supplies. For donations of $250 or above, we will send you a high-quality, hardcover photo book featuring the work of a wide variety of students.