Early days.
Before the current school was built and opened in September 2005, Svay Savong began teaching in a small classroom attached to his father’s house near the Killing Fields Pagoda on the edge of Siem Reap. His dream was to provide free language education to provide future employment opportunities for students.
Early funding for this school came from a Japanese businessman, and from a variety of visitors from many nations.
By late 2004, Savong had defined his goal to build a school further out in the countryside where families are very poor and where language education is unavailable. In October 2004 he discussed this plan with Yoshikazu Tsuji and Makoto Kimura of Japan, and with Duncan Stuart, a New Zealander. Each made a commitment to help get the project off the ground and from that point, Savong maintained steady communication – his skill and commitment keeping the whole project together from the start. He was 24 at the time.
The school gets built.
In February 2005 a piece of land was found, out near the Rolous group of temples, 25 minutes east of Siem Reap and with the core group of overseas supporters from Japan, USA and New Zealand the land was purchased and soon building began. It was a big project, with plans sketched on a notepad. From June through to September a well was dug and the three classrooms were constructed, a stairway added for upstairs rooms (that have yet to be built) and a toilet block also built. In September the school was officially opened with a big ceremony.
Step by Step.
Every school, every community project is a learning project. In the first few weeks, a thief came into the grounds during class time and stole a student’s bicycle. So after that the school replaced the bicycle, and added measures of security so that the students would feel safe.
Over time it was felt that the school syllabus needed official structure, and recognition, so late in 2007 with the support of a good Irish doctor, Colm Power, the school implemented an accredited course. Now students who pass the exams have certificates recognised by the Government, and by employers. That year, to provide confidence for the teachers, the school implemented salaries by auto-payment, and these salaries have since been adjusted to match inflation. During this time Makoto was also able to visit again – he built the wall around the school yard – so step by step the school has made many improvements: a computer for the director (thanks Sue!) and a generator for lights and fans.
In 2006 a volleyball net gave the boys especially, a sporting focal point and has helped the school become a social hub.
During the period 2006-2007 the school also established relationships with local Siem Reap guest houses to help publicise the work of the school, and to invite volunteers. Since then a steady stream of volunteers from many nations have visited the school – many bringing skills, gifts, new ideas.
2008, 2010 – Big steps.
Starting the year with accreditation was pretty big news for the school, and was reflected in school attendance, with more students attending: all voluntarily. But then during the year kind supporters from the USA made contact and offered to fund the construction of the library.
The library took just 12 weeks to complete, and the school now has a librarian and a rapidly growing collection of books and graphic novels for all ages in Khmer, Japanese and English.
Soon after, the school was lucky to host for 8 excellent weeks a volunteer from Australia who applied a strictly “spoken English” policy in the classroom – which really lifted the conversational skills in the classroom. He also taught about environmental issues and his influence is evident in the tidier appearance of the grounds, including a more defined volleyball pitch. By late 2008 these initiatives were topped up with the donation of more computers to the school which form the basis of computer teaching that commences in early 2009. What will the years ahead bring?
In 2008 the orphanage was also constructed, thanks to a generous gift from the Quill family of the USA, and over 2009 a number of projects added to this - the addition of a kitchen, a study room, a fresh water tank - and meanwhile ongoing supporters helped Savong take care of more children - 25 at the time of writing. In October 2008 the orphanage received official Government certification also: a significant step.
The roll-out of projects will probably never stop, but in 2010 the first main project is to get the University Scholarship scheme underway in order to give that final support for the best students to attend university in town: a dream that is unfortunately out of reach for too many young Cambodians.