We are excited because as we learn more and more about the geography of Boeung Rial and the surrounding environs, as well as the various options for a floating classroom, we are increasingly convinced we can put up a floating school.
It is quite clear that the lake cannot take a deep hulled structure, such as what we saw in
Prek Pra. We were however, told there was a floating house up river from Boeung Rial that
Juhan was looking after that was built upon a deck floating on bamboo. We were not aboe to view this floating house, but a day later we were able to view from a distance, a similar floating building.
North of Kampong Thmor, two tributaries of the Tonle Sap cut across Highway 6 - Steung Chinit and Steung Tang Krasang. Just off the bridge at Tang Krasang, there was a floating office of the Fisheries Police. It was the perfect model of what we think a floating classroom might look like. The deck floats upon what seems to be large bundles of bamboo running lengthwise. The building itself is the size of a classroom, and there is a skirting platfrom around. The bamboo floats appear to be supported at strategic locations by oil drums.
We were not able to get close enough to view the actual structure, but what we saw gave us cause to be hopeful. For one thing, there seems to be local expertise to build a shallow hulled floating structure that could serve as a classroom. Other considerations are that the materials used are relatively cheap locally available material, that can be easily maintained and replaced should they deteriorate.
Ps Samreth and Kea will now go and do their homework to identify the contractor and to cost the building of one floating classroom.We think we should do just one classroom first, and then add on in modular form, the other classrooms as the need arises.
Any contributions to the school building fund would be very much appreciated.
This is my sketch of the design for the floating classroom. The classroom dimensions are 7m x 10m. I have added a skirting of about 1-1.5m along the front 3 sides of the classroom, plus a small toilet round the back.
We are excited because as we learn more and more about the geography of Boeung Rial and the surrounding environs, as well as the various options for a floating classroom, we are increasingly convinced we can put up a floating school.
In the dry season, Boeung Rial is perched in the cove of a small lake south of the main TonleSap. It is linked to a number of family clusters along the shores of a river than runs in a Southerly towards another lake, e.g. SonnTann (hope I got the spelling right) and Kampong Chham (apparently named because some Chham fisherfolk used to live there. (BTW 'kampong' actually means a port by by the river).
We hopped into small narrow fishing boats which brought our team to Kampong Chham where we had a meeting with the heads of Boeung Rial and Kampong Chham.
SonnTann (?spelling)
Disembarking at Kampong Chham
Village Chiefs of Kampong Chham and Boeung Rial
Veron, just before she got 'baptized'
The sun was already fast setting as we returned to Boeung Rial. All in all, a good productive outing. We had a meeting of minds and have been convinced of the villages' commitment to the idea of a floating school. Importantly, Juhan (Ceruk), the Boeung Rial Chief seemed like someone we can trust to take charge of the school.
While waiting for the school to be built, the pastors have set up a temporary structure, making use of the tentage we had provided them before, for a part time school. A teacher comes in 3 times a week to take simple classes. The teacher's salary has been sponsored by private funds.
It was a very heartening sight to behold, and I was actually very excited by what I saw. What was especially heartening was the sight of mothers carrying babies, sitting with the children listening attentively to the classes and learning alongside the children. There is no surer way of getting the children interested in schooling than if the mother learns alongside.
Three generations of illiteracy is surely coming to an end.
Distributing used clothes
Beautiful little girl. Smart too. Her name is Rii....or at least that was what it sounded like. 
Boeung Rial
The Fishing Village, Boeung Rial had relocated to a small 'lake'. They were connected to a number of family clusters connected by a 'river. These clusters were variously named SonnTann and Kampong Chham (not the main town of the province!).
Boeung Rial village chief. His unfortunate name of Ceruk (pig) was happily renamed by Esther to Juhan (John). He is a steady dependable sort of guy, who has apparently been looking after a floating 'house' down the river, so he is a good choice for someone who can look after a floating school.
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