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China charity assists rural schoolchildren in Cambodia

Updated: 2022-04-20 09:31 ( Xinhua )
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BATTAMBANG, Cambodia-A shortage of school materials and appropriate, sanitary bathroom facilities used to be the key challenges for some primary schools in the far-flung area of Cambodia's rural Bavel district, roughly 90 kilometers west of the provincial capital.

But, since 2019, the issues have been gradually addressed after Amity Foundation, a Chinese voluntary organization, began providing scholarships to students and helped build basic infrastructure, such as toilets and handwashing facilities, in the schools through Cambodian NGO Life With Dignity.

LWD's area program coordinator Chan Vanna says Amity Foundation has provided scholarships to 310 poor students and some budget for the construction of toilets, handwashing facilities and water systems at three schools in northwest Battambang province's Bavel district.

"The scholarships include learning materials, COVID-19 prevention kits, and some cash for those poor students," he says.

Amity Foundation has helped improve educational standards in rural areas, and has changed the future for rural children in Cambodia, Vanna says.

"I hope that in the future, Amity Foundation will continue supporting Life With Dignity in the education sector at poor schools in other rural areas," he says.

Khong Theang, principal of Khlaing Primary School, says that, like other rural schools, his school faced many difficulties, such as a lack of electricity, teaching staff and school materials, which caused the school's academic standards to fall behind the national average.

"But since 2019, the learning and living environment of the students and teachers has gradually been improved after Amity Foundation, in cooperation with Life With Dignity, began supporting our school by providing school materials and financial resources, as well as COVID-19 prevention kits," he says.

"The Chinese charity has brought them new hope and I believe that when these children grow up, they will become valuable human resources for their families and the country, as well as being the messengers of the Cambodia-China friendship," Theang says.

Phon Phiruon, principal of Prey Thom Primary School, says that, previously, it was difficult for students to find places to relieve themselves because of the shortage of toilets, so sometimes, they had to ask the school's neighbors to use their bathrooms.

"After receiving assistance from the Chinese organization, it is now convenient for the students, they do not need to compete for toilets during the break…and they no longer need to ask our neighbors," she says.

"And the handwashing facilities are good, there are bars of soap and water for washing hands, so students can maintain good hygiene every day."

Tuon Kanhchaneath, a sixth grade student at Prey Thom Primary School, says that, in the past, she did not have adequate learning materials, but with the support from the Chinese charity, she now has sufficient school materials.

"I'm very excited to receive these learning materials, toilets, sanitary facilities and water tanks from Amity Foundation. This donation is very valuable and has brought us smiles and new hope," the 11-year-old schoolgirl says.

Sou Lyhong, another sixth grade student at Prey Thom Primary School, says that the donation truly shows the kindness of the Chinese people toward rural Cambodian children and that he will remember this kindness forever.

"I promise to study hard to fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor so that I will be able to help others and I will also be an ambassador for the Cambodia-China friendship when I grow up," the 11-year-old schoolboy says.

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