Journeys Within Our Community: Nonprofit, Charity, and Philanthropy in Cambodia and Southeast Asia

The Cambodian public school system continues to be plagued by poor facilities, uneducated teachers, and corruption, which combined lead to dismal educational opportunities for children who are eager to learn. In Cambodia, teachers are not paid living wages which encourages many of them to supplement their income by charging each student a fee to attend class. Additionally, there remains a vast shortage of qualified teachers throughout the country. As long as these factors persist it is necessary for Cambodian children, who want a better education, to seek other educational opportunities during after school hours.

JWOC provides each class with all the necessary materials for teaching including textbooks for the students. We rely on donations to maintain this ongoing support. Each textbook costs approximately $5 depending on the book that the teacher chooses to use. In addition, we are always looking for donations of English books which provide material for students to practice their reading skills.

Donations Needed

Textbooks for a class of 20 students - $100

Books for our library - $50

Visit our "Donate Now" page to make a contribution in support of free education for young Cambodians eager to learn.

What JWOC is doing

In order to create these opportunities JWOC sponsors and manages two language schools in Siem Reap. These schools provide free classes daily to approximately 300 children and adults ranging in age from 10 to 30 years old. The subjects taught include English, Japanese, Khmer reading & writing, computer skills, traditional Khmer dance, and photography. JWOC provides the teachers, textbooks, school supplies, and learning aids for each class so that the only thing students have to focus on is learning. The language school at Wat Chork is on the south side of Siem Reap and is our newest school. Currently there are 11 teachers at Wat Chork and classes are offered every day of the week. The school has two levels and a total of three classroom spaces, with one of those classrooms being a computer lab. A recently installed projector allows teachers to give classes utilizing software such as PowerPoint and other visual aids which greatly enhances the teachers presentation options.JWOC's first language school is located on the north side of Siem Reap at the Wat Thmei Killing Fields Pagoda. The pagoda is frequented by many tourists since it is the site of former a former Khmer Rouge killing field and has in its courtyard a stupa containing hundreds of human skulls found on the gounds. At this somber location JWOC first started providing free language classes three years ago. The school currently has 7 teachers and classes are offered five days a week.

The JWOC Teachers

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