The Missing Link in Cambodian Education

Mleas Cafe, a recently constructed hub of English teaching, socialising and coffee, just hosted its first workshop for CBKTS.

In June, we saw some 60 students in grade 9, arrive and listen to community leaders, volunteers and former students share what lies ahead after high school.

For students growing up in rural Cambodia, education can look very different compared to cities. Schools provide the foundation of maths and languages, but they lack the resources, role models or exposure needed to inspire a career beyond rural life. Many parents and families will do their best but may not know much about higher education or urban careers themselves.

That’s why workshops like these are crucial. They give students an opportunity to hear directly from people who have studied, worked, and built unique careers further afield.

First up is Pos Searey providing introductions, followed by the commune officer and village chief talking about the importance of community values.

Next up, we have our volunteers sharing their international perspective. Here is what we talked about.

Networking – Students were introduced to the concept of a network. We explained the importance of creating connections with friends, classmates, teachers, and international visitors. We allowed the students to come up with their own ideas about how they can professionally keep in touch with their connections.

Motivation – A passionate reminder that hard work will be challenging, but with self-belief and perseverance, students can accomplish their dreams. We told the students that we volunteers are rooting for them, and can’t wait to hear their success stories.

Open-Mind – Students were encouraged to remember that it’s okay not to have everything figured out yet. Success has many definitions, and the most important thing is to stay curious and follow what feels meaningful.

We are also exceptionally proud of Sobun Kim, a current student of CBKTS, translating our words to Khmer. We understand how difficult it is to listen to a message conveyed in two languages, yet out students were always engaged and attentive.

Workshops like this may seem small, but they can widen how students think about their education, their choices, and their futures.