The Kome Hyappyo (100 Sacks of Rice) School No. Two

The Cambodia Rural School Project

The Kome Hyappyo (100 Sacks of Rice) School No. Two

Mr. Em Koy stands in front of the signboard of the school.
It reads “Donated by the Tokyo Shishinokai and the Social Fund, 2001.”
(October, 2001)

Mr. Em Koy is a teacher at the Kome Hyappyo School Number Two. He has been a teacher for 18 years.

On the new building:	“I like the new school building because it is the first new building like this in the area. It has enough tables for all the kids to sit and the students don’t worry about rain, either. The old building had a tin roof with many holes in it, which made lessons impossible when it rained. It is also good to know that we can get support from generous people, who want to help the kids here to get an education.”
On teaching:	“I became a teacher because I love my nation and its children and I want them to get more education.”
On teaching his daughter:	“My daughter attends class at this school. She is 12 years old and in third grade. I think it is important for her to know how to speak, read and write Khmer and I also push her to learn basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.”
On the joys of his job:	“I like teaching the kids and helping them to get more education. I don’t like corruption, robbery, fighting, or killing, and education helps people avoid these types of bad behavior.”
On the school community:	“The villagers and parents of the students like the new school building because they think it is the best thing for their children. They push their children to attend school, and we have books of Khmer legends with pictures, and English and computer lessons that they enjoy as well.”