The Aeon Rain Tree School

The Cambodia Rural School Project

The Aeon Rain Tree School

(August, 2001)

Mr. Buph Chantha is the deputy director of the Aeon Rain Tree School. He has been deputy director for one year and a teacher for 21 years. He presently teaches first and fourth grade. He is married with six children; two of his sons attend the school.

On the new building:	“In the old building the tables were all broken and the students disliked attending class because it was uncomfortable. Now, all the students love studying. Students even come to class early. We are planning to decorate the school grounds with flowers, too.”
On teaching his sons:	“I like teaching my children at this school, because it is important to me that they get an education and become smart.”
On school subjects:	“Parents want their children to learn Khmer and mathematics most, so that is what the children pay most attention to. The students dislike applied science. In Cambodia, people plant rice, so they will never use science; it has nothing to do with farming.”
On the joys of his job:	“I love teaching because I want to improve my village. In rural areas the people generally have poor knowledge, so I want to help them.”
Message for the Aeon Group:	“We at the school and in this village would love it if people from the Aeon Group could come to see the school. We cannot afford to give anything in return, but we are very thankful.”