Sok San Village school opening

So pleased to have been able to open our latest (8th) school in Sok San village. I emphasized the need for the village to take ownership of the school and the necessity to look after the school.

Seated on my right are: Commune Head, Principal, Village Head, Village Dy Head. 

We had a bit of hiccup earlier when the commune leader indicated that he might not be able to attend because of a clash of duties as Prime Minister Hun Sen's son was going to visit the village. But things worked out and we are glad the commune leadership was represented in our school opening ceremony.

Distributing used clothes to the villagers.

 

New school at SokSan village?

We had the opportunity to visit a remote village in Santuk district. Santuk is the district just north of Baray, and this village in an area called Kom Pup Om Bel, is about 10kms deeper than our last village school in Andaut.

In some ways the village is reminiscent of a previous village we visited, Tropeang Russei, in that it is kind of a re-settlement village with new families. The land seems rather dry and ill-suited for farming, Tapioca (casava) appears to be a major crop. There seems to be Chinese/Vietnamese industrial influences all around, though not really visible. The village itself is rather sparse and scattered although there are supposedly 400 families living in the area. No schools noted, although there was mention of a school set up for workers in these Chinese/Vietnamese concerns.

The headman is young, active and supportive of the educational mission. Samrong Church (Ps Kea) has a member Ps Cheat who is prepared to move into the community with his family. One of his family members run a provision shop and pharmacy.

A 3 classroom school plus a drill well will cost us about US$30K. Should we? The village has already identified the land for the school.

from 3rd from left - headman, Ps Cheat, Ps Kea and me