There is always good works to be done in Cambodia and in rural areas is no different. The Honorable Vibol Penh has shared many ways individuals can get more assimilated with giving back, even without experience or knowledge of the areas in Cambodia. To start, he encourages colleges to organize community study programs. These programs include university students visiting a dilapidated school and donating what they prefer; usually pens, pencils, bread, toothpaste, and any clothing items.
After visiting, there are hopes of the students taking initiative to come back to the same area, hopefully, with other compassionate individuals to start fundraising. Monk Vibol Penh encourages others to sell fruit, ask international friends, or come up with a unique way to give back, long term, to the communities most in need in the floating village. In doing this, students were able to fundraise and build the first junior high school in 2016.
Not only were undergraduate students able to assist in Team Khnorng (in Plov Touk Commune, Kompongh Leng District, Kompong Chhnage Province) but they continue going back to help after building their school. One villager, who noticed the project happening, has stated, “Since the past, there has never been students from provinces per cities coming to visit our community except this time.” It was apparent how meaningful each individuals presence and compassion for others meant to the villagers.
To understand just how critical volunteerism is in the floating village, one must comprehend how isolated the village is from the city. Mr. Try, a council member in the village, states there are about 300 families in his community. To visit the floating village, it is about a 2-3 hour long car ride to get to the area from Phnom Penh city. If anyone is injured or hurt, they need to take a boat to the province, which can be 2-3 hours, as well, just to land. Most families have little hope in education when they are worried about survival; such as water levels rising, having to migrate to higher ground in the mountains, or fish being harder to catch. It had been almost uncomprehendeble to hear of students in the village making it to 6th grade level. Now, with the help of the community, there is hope in this community and in the surrounding districts.
The most amazing part, according to Vibol Penh, is that now villagers are believing in the power of education and are now hopeful and encouraged for their own children to attend. Although this is extremely encouraging, it is also a long process when improving conditions of the school. Currently, the roof is made of zinc, which makes the classrooms extremely hot for students but when faced with no other options, the students are still excited and absolutely thrilled to attend and be given an opportunity. The other problem is that since there are only three classrooms built for over 300 families, students take turns to get an opportunity and place in the classroom. This can make for incomplete study programs, unless we continue working together and encouraging others to continue assisting in this vulnerable area.
Another problem that this community is facing is that the community is continuing to grow and the amount of fish is dwindling, which not only results in poverty but also results in a lack off nutrients. The Honorable Monk Vibol Penh suggests we take responsibility by helping make others aware of this need for the community, fulfilling our social responsibility, to create a sense of mutual help in Cambodia, to provide sustainable development for the floating villagers, and to truly see the long term benefits of education. Every child should be given the opportunity to learn and attend school. 