Like many areas in the Cambodian countryside, the village is very underdeveloped.  Most people have limited access to clean water, and everyone lives in simple wood and palm leaf homes.  The majority of the families are able to make a living through farming.  They plant rice, vegetables, and fruit on what little property they own.  Others are able to make coal from dead wood or raise fish in man-made water holes.

Despite these limited opportunities, the families are very happy and are able to live on an income of around $1 per day (although its barely enough to feed their families).  Most of the children in the town help their parents by carrying out chores at home or by working in the fields, and when the children grow older they inherit the careers and assets of their parents.  Some students in the program can afford to attend the government school, but they do not take foreign language classes there, and their education stops at the equivalent of 8th grade, as high school and college are far too expensive.

Our simple school was constructed with the intention of providing free, quality English language classes to the children of the town. We believe that by offering free classes, students will be able to acquire the language and take advantage of the large job market in Siem Reap surrounding tourism related fields (such as hotel staff, tourism and tour guides, taxi drivers, restaurant servers, market vendors, etc.)  These jobs pay an excellent wage that will support the students and their families in Banteay Srei.  It will help the students improve their own quality of living with relying solely on charity.

We currently offer two, one-hour classes every day of the week.  We instruct over 80 students.  A noon class with 20 students takes English 2 under the direction of Prin Sok.  He also teaches English III for another 20 students.  The evening class has 40 students and standing room only.  It is taught by Suy Saven, a local resident and elementary school teacher.  These classes are completely free and we provide all the books and supplies at no cost to the students or their families.  The only requirement is that they regularly attend the classes.

Please browse our website to learn more about the school and some of the other programs we offer, including the clean water, nutrition, and sewing programs.  We also have additional information on our mission, students, and staff. 

Finally, please consider donating to Bridge of Life School so that we can continue help the children and community of Banteay Srei.  Even the smallest amount goes such a long way.