Reflections from Program Director, Zion Dyson
On March 5th, 2026, Bill and Nancy Kaun Khlong Primary School (KKPS) celebrated their award naming them the Best Primary School in Battambang Province. I was lucky enough to represent the Cambodian Village Fund at the event. Here is my experience.
I woke up at 5:30 am for my 6:30 am call at the school. I am not an early bird, but my excitement (and a little caffeine) energized me enough. With such an early start, it’s no wonder this event felt like a dream.
I arrived at the school as the sun rose and was promptly ushered into a truck decorated with banners and ribbons. I barely noticed the four other trucks leaving with us. We made a stop at Prey Touch Primary School to pick up some additional teachers and then headed to the Moung Roussei District Office. Government officials, including the governor of Battambang Province, awaited us, dressed in official uniforms. All the teachers wore official uniforms, too, of a different color. I realized I was the only one not in uniform. No problem, I thought. As a “barang” (Khmer for foreigner), I’m used to standing out.
Teachers and students gathered in neat lines around the square, and I stood with the teachers of KKPS. Assistant Principal Nem Vanna told me to stand in line with all the male teachers. I chuckled and stepped into place. Then, a female teacher welcomed me to stand in her line. I chuckled again and moved positions, ushering the shorter teachers in front of me to make sure they could see. As I got comfortable, Assistant Principal Vanna told me to move up to the front, with all the government officials. I walked up to the front as politely as I could and waited to be ushered to the proper spot. I found myself next to another NGO worker, from World Vision Cambodia. We made some small talk in Khmer. I felt a bit more like I belonged.
My heart is filled with so much gratitude for being included in the awards ceremony in such a big way. It can feel complicated taking up space reserved for respected officials as Bill and Nancy’s granddaughter, a CVF employee, and a white American “barang.” This award would not have been possible without the dedicated faculty and staff who have made KKPS amazing. Bill and Nancy planted the seed by building CVF’s first school building in 2012, and the community members watered and nourished this seed to blossom into the award-winning school KKPS is today. I hope my presence represents CVF as a partner of the community, helping to empower educators and students by supporting their needs.
“Buildings do not make great schools. Curriculum does not make great schools. People do.” — Avnita Bir, educator
After the awards ceremony ended and plenty of pictures were taken, we all boarded the trucks once again. I climbed into the back of a pick-up and sat on a wobbly plastic chair. Assistant Principal Vanna and some other male teachers rode with me, holding the framed award and waving large Khmer flags. The truck bed in front of us carried more people and a set of loudspeakers, blasting cheerful music. As we rode, two people on mics announced the award in Khmer, encouraging the crowd to yell, “Chai-yo!” (Khmer for hurray!). We rode around Moung Roussei District for nearly two hours, cheering and waving at groups of students lined up along the road. You can view a short video here.
Finally, we rounded the corner toward KKPS. All the students were lined up on both sides of the road, cheering and waving Khmer flags. Everyone had authentic smiles, colored with joyous pride. As a celebratory song played on the loudspeaker, students danced and clapped their hands. Many of the students, who know me from English classes, yelled “teacher!” and I waved gleefully back to them. After driving past students from all the schools in the district, returning to KKPS truly felt like coming home.
So, what are the ingredients to a great school, like KKPS? Safe buildings with electricity that protect students from heat and heavy rain; effective resources like whiteboards, books, and projectors to facilitate learning; community support to maintain the plants and flowers on campus; strong leaders that collaborate with CVF to address school needs; good-hearted teachers that encourage students to succeed; and a collective sense of pride in the joy of education. These are the magical elements that have allowed KKPS to flourish and thrive.
