Kampong Speu (Nov 13, 2012) – Life with Dignity (LWD) today inaugurated a new primary school for poor students in a remote area of Thpong district in Kampong Speu province.
The new school has one building of 4 classrooms made of concrete and basic facilities. The new building replaced the deteriorated zinc building which accommodated 130 students—51 of whom are girls—in Daun Tip village, Prambei Mom commune of Thpong district, Kampong Speu province.
The school project cost US$ 67,320, of which US$ 66,320 was funded by Finn Church Aid (FCA) and US$ 1,000 was contributed by the local community.
The project also included teachers’ desks and chairs, students’ tables, four latrines, a flag pole, school gate and barbed-wire fence, two 10,000-liter water tanks, lightning protection system, furniture for library including reading books, and children playthings. One of the four rooms will be used as a library room.
The project aimed to contribute to improving the access to primary education in rural remote areas.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Anu Riikonen, Finn Church Aid (FCA) Reginal Representative for Asia, said, “We, Finn Church Aid, believe that every boy and girl has the right to an equal opportunity to access quality education. Investing in education, particularly for girls, is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and bring about development and change in communities.
“Supporting education is an integral part of the integrated rural development activities that Finn Church Aid supports through our long-standing development partner, Life With Dignity. Our focus is on improving education in a holistic way where the need is the most urgent,” Ms. Anu said.
“Providing education opportunity to all Cambodia children is of central importance. The children and youth are the future of the country. A skilled workforce will be needed for Cambodia to continue on the path of social and economic development,” she said.
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“I want to encourage you all to ensure that your new school remains in active teaching and learning space by taking good care of the school facilities, making sure that both students and teachers attend lessons regularly and work hard so the school may bring a better future for the children of Daun Tip village, their families and future generations.”
His Excellency Loeung Sophat, Deputy Governor of Kampong Speu, deeply thanked and highly appreciated the generous support from the people of Finland through FCA and LWD. He also thanked the community for their contribution and support to build such a good and furnished school.
“This school is the finest school in our community we have ever had. And it also represents the great friendship of the people in both countries, Cambodia and Finland,” he said.
“It is the greatest legacy from donors for our next generations to improve the education quality in the rural area,” he added.
LWD supports the government policy to improve access to education. In 2012, LWD planned to build 59 concrete classrooms across its target areas in four provinces of Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat and Battambang.
For more information, please, contact Leak Ratna (Mr.), LWD Communication Coordinator | E-mail:ratna@lwd.org.kh | Phone: 012 819 121