The Cambodia Rural School Project

The Kork Romiet Nippon Foundation School

On the new building:

I am very happy with the new school, because it is made of concrete. We have enough desks for everyone. I have many friends here as well. When I was studying at the old school, we had some problems because the school was so old that it would have collapsed even with one push. When the sun shone, it would get too hot to concentrate. And when it rained, the water would slash into the classroom. The rain would also make a lot of noise on the tin roof. All those factors discouraged me to go to school.  

Favorite subject:

Math. I like it because I want to sell things when I grow up. My least favorite subject is history. I don’t find it very interesting.

On his spare time:

In my spare time I help my parents cook rice and carry water. Every evening, I do my homework. I also like playing soccer, ‘high jump’, and ‘Leng Chhous’*. I play at school.

*[Leng Chhous is a Khmer game where a sandal is kicked along the ground towards a prize. Whoever hits the price or comes closest to it wins. The catch is that the sandal has to be kicked while skipping on one foot. The other foot without a sandal cannot touch the ground].

If he could do anything:

If I could do anything, I would like to be a teacher. When I think about it, I’d rather be a teacher than (say) sell things, because teachers provide benefits for society.

If he could travel anywhere: