These girls and boys in Cambodia know the power of teamwork in their playground games.
And they’re grateful for how your teamwork with their school and local leaders has helped change their lives!
A daily struggle just to stay healthy
Because in their remote rice-farming community, primary school students kept getting sick.
There was no clean water at their school. Only one crumbling bathroom they could use. And nowhere for students to wash their hands.
Can you imagine trying to learn when going to school meant suffering from tummy aches and skin rashes?
As school principal Sek Kong says: “Children were at constant risk of illness and suffered from health problems.”
A long walk for pond water
“Since there was no clean drinking water available at school, children had to walk a long way to a remote pond for water.
“This not only took up precious time but also negatively affected their health.
“Both teachers and students faced substantial challenges, leading to increased dropout rates and frequent absences.
Sponsors and local leaders team up to create change
“The school management committee was not very active, mainly because they lacked clarity about their roles and responsibilities,” says Principal Sek Kong.
“But since Food for the Hungry sponsors partnered with our community and schools, I have observed a multitude of positive transformations and school improvements,” she says.
With sponsors like you by their side, Principal Sek Kong, the school management committee, teachers, community leaders, parents, and local health volunteers joined forces to map school needs and make plans to lead change for children, and put those plans into action.
“We held community meetings and awareness campaigns. Now, we have a concrete school improvement plan,” she says. “It is so heartening to see the growing involvement of the community in school activities.”
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Food for the Hungry sponsors and staff, for your steadfast dedication and active engagement in developing our rural school.
“You have instilled in us the values of unity, mutual support, and strategic planning for the future.”
Your love in action!
Today, 135 students—and their teachers—have clean drinking water, proper sanitation and hygiene facilities, and essential hygiene education at their school.
Generous sponsors like you helped:
- Build a new bathroom block with separate stalls for boys, girls, and people with disabilities, along with handwashing stations.
- Install water filters so students and staff have safe drinking water at school.
- Provide hygiene kits to help girls and boys keep their teeth and bodies clean and healthy.
- Create spaces where girls can manage menstrual hygiene safely, privately and with dignity, so they can focus on learning and don’t have to miss school.
- Inspire students to form a hygiene group to encourage handwashing and healthy hygiene habits at school and at home.
A healthier school and a brighter future
Heoun, a sixth-grade student, shares:
“In the past, our school didn’t have good handwashing facilities. But, thanks to you, we now have toilets and handwashing stations installed at our school. We now wash our hands together before meals and after using the restroom. I am thankful for your help.”
Girls and boys now have a safe, clean environment where they can focus on learning and succeeding in school.
Local change that lasts
Girls and boys are now healthier, happier, and ready to learn!
And their community is banding together to continue making change.
They’ve committed to provide more resources to improve the school, and more parents are now more involved in their children’s education.
“I will strive to ensure that this school maintains its cleanliness,” says Principal Sek Kong.
“I aspire for our school to become a model standard school in the future, distinguished by enhanced teaching methods and increased community engagement.”
Thank you for partnering with local leaders to help children flourish in school. Students like Heoun and Chhay are now healthy, happy and learning strong.
Imagine what’s next!
You can be part of something big! When you sponsor a child, you join hands with their community to create lasting change.
