Meeting the CORDE team.

Our hosts were able to share more about their reality, particularly in the context of education, a fundamental right of which the people were deprived under the Khmer Rouge regime. This tragedy left this rich country, full of resources, with a whole generation of illiterate Cambodians, and as a result,in poverty and ignorance. It is true that over the past 30 years, the government has invested heavily in education, but the quality of it, especially in rural areas, remains inadequate. This is where CORDE comes in.

Visiting the Ing Phanna Community School, which has been entirely built with funds from the local community.

We witnessed a very mature partner with an incredible ability to interact with different community members: parents, youth, teachers, children, civil servants, like-minded organizations, etc. It is a dynamic and very committed organization that makes the most of its human and material resources. After 30 years of activities, CORDE has developed an increased capacity to provide training and support local communities, young people and adults, to set up and take ownership of educational activities. During the many exchanges we had with the project’s stakeholders – from the youngest to the oldest – there was always a desire to participate in building a better future. Everyone, without exception, recognizes CORDE’s merit in achieving this objective, as evidenced by the authorities’ support and general recognition of programmes in the Battambang region.

Meeting with Community Schools coordination team and some teachers.

The level of maturity of the young tutors and teachers we met, as well as their deep knowledge of their local reality, their commitment to work for the common weal and the advancement of their communities, are remarkable and compelling. During our conversations, they shared how youngsters often turn to alcohol and find themselves with nothing meaningful to do with their time when they are not in school. Having no real education nor opportunities, many then migrate to neighboring countries, particularly Thailand, in search of jobs. In sharp contrast, these young PSA tutors believe in the transformational power of the programme, which helps participants find ways in which to make use of the knowledge and skills developed and put them into practice for the development of their villages.

Sovan (on the left) and his PSA students.

During our conversations with Ms. Theary, coordinator of community schools and active in the field of education for more than 20 years, she described one of the key elements of CORDE’s approach: all actions are based on the fundamental principle of considering the great potential of each individual to develop the capacities and skills necessaries for their own development. As she pointed out, “CORDE’s programs enable entire communities to develop their potential to help themselves and others”.

It was a real honour and a great joy to meet our partner in Cambodia and to have been able to strengthen our bonds with the CORDE team.

Ankun Chraen, dear friends.