Project description:

​Despite growth in the tourism sector, Cambodia remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in Southeast Asia, ranking 151st out of 193 in the 2025 Human Development Index, which takes into account education, health and income. Development in the country is uneven, with many rural communities still struggling to escape poverty due to corruption and vested interests that hinder progress.
The village of Thvang in the Aekphnum district of Battambang province is one such disadvantaged community. The village was founded in 1979 after the civil war and has a population of 1,788 from 397 families. Most families depend on traditional small-scale fishing, which provides only a limited income and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. As a result, the village has a high emigration rate, with hundreds of residents leaving to seek better work abroad.

Thvang Primary School was founded in the same year as the village and currently has 279 pupils and five teachers, two of whom are volunteers. Although the school receives government funding, this only covers basic maintenance costs, administration and teaching materials, leaving no funds available for other needs. 
The school is housed in two wooden buildings, which were constructed by the community in 1996 and 1997. The first building, with three classrooms, is now in a state of serious disrepair, with rotten beams and pillars posing a serious risk of collapse. The second building, with two classrooms, is also in poor condition and is to be converted into teachers' accommodation, leaving only limited learning space for the children. To meet their educational needs, we propose the construction of a new school building with four fully equipped classrooms and a staff room. This facility will provide safe, improved learning spaces and a better environment for students and teachers. It will also help to lay a solid foundation for primary education and encourage the children's growth and love of learning.