Schools

Building Brighter Futures: 10 Schools in 12 Years

Experience a bird’s-eye view of our progress through stunning drone footage of some of the schools we’ve built in Prey Touch Commune, showcasing hope and brighter futures we’re creating for the children in Cambodia.

Transforming Communities through Education

A new school does more than just educate—it transforms entire communities. Access to education opens doors for future generations, fostering development, stability, and hope. When we started, over half of the girls dropped out of school after completing the 6th grade. Now nearly all girls continue on to 7th grade. New schools help improve literacy rates, encourage economic growth, and build a stronger, more resilient community.

Schools Built by Cambodian Village Fund

At Cambodian Village Fund (CVF), we are committed to building schools that change lives. While CVF funds the construction, the schools are operated by the Cambodian government, functioning as public schools. This partnership allows us to create lasting educational infrastructure while ensuring the schools are integrated into the national education system. We work with local construction companies and workers to ensure the schools are built to meet the needs of the community.

Before and After: Stories of Change

Conditions in the old, dilapidated school buildings made learning challenging for students. Parents were often reluctant to send their children to unsafe schools. Some structures were so unsafe that classes were held outdoors in the sweltering tropical heat. Today, students enjoy a bright, cheerful learning environment with the comfort of cool ceiling fans, providing them with a much-improved space to thrive academically.

Strategic Location: Where We Build Schools

Working closely with local school and government officials, we prioritize areas with the greatest need. These new schools provide children with a safe, accessible place to learn and thrive.

Ongoing Maintenance: A Shared Responsibility

Once a school is built, both CVF and the community take an active role in its upkeep. We work hand-in-hand with local leaders to ensure that the schools remain safe, well-maintained, and fully operational, creating a sustainable environment for learning. The community, including our former scholarship students, donate to maintain these buildings.

The Bill & Nancy School: A Model of Excellence

The primary school at Kaun Khlong Village, renamed the “Bill & Nancy Primary School,” is considered a model school in Cambodia. But what makes it special? It serves as an example of best practices in infrastructure, teaching, and community involvement. The school offers a nurturing environment that fosters academic excellence, while actively engaging the local community in its success.

Libraries

We have built seven new libraries, and one features a state-of-the-art Language Lab and Media Center. Two San Diego schools, The Bishop’s School and Francis Parker, generously funded four of the libraries. During spring break, their students traveled to Cambodia, purchased books, shelving, computers, and printers, and helped set up the libraries themselves.

The fifth library, Mona’s Library, opened in April 2021 in Stoeung Chak Village. Created in loving memory of a joyful, kind-hearted girl named Mona, her friends and family came together to establish this special place. Today, the children of Stoeung Chak Village have a bright, welcoming space to read, play, and enjoy learning—just as Mona would have loved.