
While education law in Cambodia states that “every citizen has the right to access quality education of at least 9 years in public schools free of charge,” in reality there are fees associated with attending free public schools, including uniforms, transportation, and teacher fees. These fees often fall to parents because rural schools are grossly under-resourced.
In one project we provide uniforms to young women for trade school and internships – they all continue on to full time jobs after. In our other project we have parents contributing to a Parent Contribution Fund that makes substantial improvements to the schools – something there is rarely adequate funding for.
If it were not for the uniform I am in today I really don't know where I would be in life.