• Society

Chinese-funded school building brings smiles, hope to Cambodia's rural students

• By Xinhua News Agency
• September 17, 2023 4:00 PM

Soch Niza, a fourth-grade student at the Angkomnob Primary School, said she dreams of becoming a teacher in the future, so she can share her knowledge with other children in her community.

BATI, Cambodia, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-funded project for the Angkomnob Primary School in Cambodian's Bati district, about 40 km south of the capital Phnom Penh, has brought smiles and hope to local children.

Funded by the China Foundation for Peace and Development, the project has constructed a two-floor concrete building with 12 classrooms, which were equipped with tables, chairs, teachers' desks, white boards, lighting and ceiling fans.

It has also donated school kits including items such as a schoolbag, stationery, a stainless-steel water bottle, and a stainless-steel lunch box to the students of the school, and bicycles to the poorest ones.

San Sreyneang, a fourth-grade student at the Angkomnob Primary School, said on Thursday that the project has transformed the school into a beautifully clean and green compound from a dilapidated one.

"Previously when the weather was very hot, we were discomfortable, and when there was strong wind or when it was going to rain, teachers always allowed us to go home because the school building was dilapidated with visible cracks," she told Xinhua. "They worried that when there was strong wind, the building would collapse on us."

The 11-year-old student said the classrooms have been equipped with electricity, ceiling fans, and tables and chairs, while the courtyard is beautiful with gardens.

"I'm very happy that they have provided this new building to us. It is beautiful and when there is rain, there is no leak through the roof like before," she said. "(With the new building), my study is good and it motivates me to study hard."

Sreyneang said she had also received learning materials as well as a schoolbag, a lunch box, a water bottle and a bicycle from the project.

Soch Niza, another fourth-grade student at the primary school, said the donation from Chinese people had given her and other students a smile and hope.

"In the past, when there was rain, water flew into our classroom, and rain water dropped from leaking roofs wetted our books and bags," she told Xinhua.

Now, this situation was over, Niza said, adding that the school has a new building, equipped with ceiling fans, lighting, nice tables, chairs and white boards.

"I really thank Chinese people for providing us a new school building and learning materials as well as helping develop our village," the 10-year-old student said.

Niza said she dreams of becoming a teacher in the future, so she can share her knowledge with other children in her community.

Nget Sam Oeun, principal of the Angkomnob Primary School, said the Chinese-aided project has changed the lives of the rural students, providing them a comfortable and fully equipped learning environment.

"The China Foundation-backed project at our school has changed the plifght of students here. Previously, they came to school without water bottles, lunch boxes and proper schoolbags," he told Xinhua. "Now, all students have enough school supplies and have kept good hygiene, as the poorest students have received bicycles to ride to and from school."

According to Sam Keun, the school has a total of seven teachers, with 278 students including 122 female ones.

"Overall, our school has seen remarkable development, and our students have greatly benefited from this assistance," he said. "Such a project has not only improved education for rural children, but also deepened the bond of friendship between the peoples of Cambodia and China."