How did we build a successful Cambodian school?

Inspired by high tech gurus at MIT we joined the American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) Rural Schools Project. So far the AAfC has built more than 450 thriving schools in rural Cambodia, made possible through a matching funds program with the Asian Development Bank, and in cooperation with the Cambodian government. Our school is the 405th school built by AAfC.

The Cambridge School is operated by the Cambodian Ministry of Education and staffed with Cambodian teachers. All funding is now provided by the government of Cambodia except for annual internet fees and the salary of an english-speaking high tech teacher. We happily accept donations to help defray these costs and to purchase more books, educational materials, and school supplies for students. Please click HERE for information on how to donate.

Why Cambodia?

Still suffering from the long-term effects of the American war in Vietnam, Cambodia has an acute shortage of schools and teachers, books and teaching materials. The Cambodian genocide, 1975-1979, was aimed at the educated and the educators, so it’s not surprising that the literacy rate for Cambodians over the age of 15 is only 35%.

Where is our School?

Our school is located in Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia in the district of Cheung Prey and the village of Kauk Rovieng. Click HERE to view a map. It is 65 km from Phnom Penh on the road # 6 that connects the capital, Phnom Penh with Siem Reap. This wonderful location is close to the capital (a 90 minute drive) and on the road to Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap. There are beautiful hilltop temples nearby in Cheung Prey district. Click HERE to view some pictures of the nearby temples.

How did this project get started?

The Cambridge School for Cambodia Project started at The Haggerty School, a public school in West Cambridge. The idea grew out of the Haggerty yearly Global Awareness Peace Projects that are organized by The Haggerty Arts Council. Led by parents Heather Faris and Erika Wentworth, the project spread to other communities across Cambridge including those at King Open School, Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School, Graham & Parks, Baldwin, Amigos, Cambridgeport, Shady Hill School, Harvard and MIT, Tufts and The University of Massachusetts. It is a 100% volunteer community. To see more about who is involved, please click HERE.

Building bridges

This project would never have happened without the generous support from businesses and non-profit organizations across Cambridge. To see a list of the many businesses and organizations who helped build The Cambridge School in Cambodia, please click HERE. Through this city-wide endeavor, bridges have been built between our public schools, universities, businesses, government leaders, private schools, and non-profit organizations.

We are happy to announce that Brookline High School has been inspired to start a similar project and is fundraising to build The Brookline School for Cambodia. It is exciting to see the bridges being built between Cambridge and Brookline educators and students through this project. Way to go, Cambridge!

Cambridge Public School Administration Policy on Charities

This is a wonderful opportunity for children throughout Cambridge to meet each other and work together. We want to make clear that we have always envisioned this as a joint project of many different communities throughout Cambridge. It’s important to note, however, that although some school administrators support our efforts, this project is not specifically sanctioned by the central Administration of the Cambridge Public School Department–no charity is, or can be.