Dear friends,
I first visited Cambodia at around the same time, back in June of 2016, and I fell in love with the country very quickly. My first days here were spent visiting “The Killing Fields” and the S21 Museum learning about the countries recent dark past with mass genocide. What made me fall in love is the fact that the incredibly brave and proud Khmer people do not show signs of the brutality that they went through. Without a shadow of a doubt they are the kindest, most welcoming people I have ever had the privilege to call friends, family and colleagues.
I moved here permanently in 2017, since then arranging several fund raisers to help families in the poorest of provinces with food, clothes and a little money. But this does not go far enough to fix the set back they suffered just 40 something years ago! The biggest gift we can possibly give is education, and not just any education either. The current scene in Cambodia is GREAT for backpacking gap year students to earn a little money to fill their beer fund, and then move onto party town in Siem Reap. They build no rapport with the children, who cycle through teachers constantly, they deliver no quality as they typically complete nothing but a 160 hour TEFL course (which you can do online in under a day in all reality), and have no long term investment in the children’s futures, OR the areas development. They’re then placed in front of a class room full of kids they have no way of communicating with, other than pointing at pictures.
The holes in the system don’t stop here. Typically, even in private education the curriculum is limited to English learning only, or in public school the children spend hours learning Khmer scripture (completely uninspiring). Everything is either very basic, profit driven, or charity delivered by missionaries that focus on religion and insist upon conversion of faith. It is typical to see a class with children ranging from 5 years old to 12 years old learning the same material, initially we will cater the curriculum towards 5-9 year olds, and eventually extend the offering to 10-12 year olds.
I have spent considerable time piecing together and testing a full curriculum that can only be delivered by bilingual, native English/Khmer speakers. Not only will the children learn to speak English, they will also get the Maths, Science, Art, History and Physical Education the U.K. Curriculum offers. Details of the curriculum can be found here.
News feature detailing current Education system
The School
We have already made initial agreements to rent a space large enough to host a classroom and a small office. The building has all amenities, a small healthy Khmer food restaurant, a swimming pool we can use for Phys Ed, and a play area out in the garden. Now we need to fill it with furniture, equipment and learning resources. The location is very accessible to students in both Phnom Penh and in the nearby Kandal province. The ultimate plan is to have satellite schools dotted around the country.
Initially we will have spaces for up to 25 students, and will gradually scale up as we find more reliable teachers, ultimately offering classes for the entire Primary age spectrum.
We will have strict criteria when awarding scholarships, as we also want the school to be self sustaining. Our curriculum and offering has been designed with high quality in mind to entice those that can afford for their children to learn here. Half of our placements will be paid for, half will be on a full scholarship basis. This allows the school to be independent, whilst also offering opportunities to those that otherwise could not afford it. We will have strict criteria/scoring system around who scholarships are offered to, with weight being given to orphaned or homeless children. We aim to collaborate with local NGO’s to help identify those who could most benefit.
So why am I reaching out/challenges?
I cannot do this on my own. Funding is needed for rent, equipment, staff wages, catering and lodgings, especially in the short term.
Poorer children living further away in remote provinces will need transport, and potentially lodgings in order for this to be a realistic prospect. The building we are in has a residence area, where we can rent comfortable living space as and when required (up to 4 per bedroom, with 1-3 bedroom units available). These children who board with us will also require adult mentor supervision 24/7.
Nutrition is an equally essential part of their day to day requirements, and we have already negotiated a deal with the on site healthy Khmer food restaurant for school time meals. Children boarding with us will have home cooked food with their adult mentors. In future, with growth, this can be optimised.
We currently estimate, all costs included, the average student will cost about $250 per month if they stay offsite, $370 if they board with us.
Other challenges we will face:
Registration of our curriculum with the education board. This doesn’t need to be done immediately, however it is a lengthy and often expensive process that we must eventually process.
If we do not raise enough to commit to at least a full years worth of education for at least 4 students, we will continue trying to raise funds in other areas. If unsuccessful we will use the money raised to pay for as many kids to attend the best possible schools local to them.
Short term goals
To provide a full time education via scholarships for up to 15 Primary aged children for a full year at no cost to their families, whilst slowly increasing our intake of paid students to a total of 25 students.
Long term goals
To expand the number of teachers we have available in order to be able to teach a variety of age groups and abilities.
The ultimate goal is to be able to offer start up packages under our brand, using our curriculum, for others to open their own schools in other areas.
How can you help us?
Our initial goal is to raise the funds necessary to sustain the school for an entire year or longer, whilst fundraising efforts will continue beyond this for the future. Any donations are welcome, but please also reach out to us if you would like to organise your own fundraisers. Sharing our website and mission is also greatly appreciated.
My eternal gratitude,
Kevin Smith
Freedom to Learn Founder
