Bridge Of Life School

English is the de facto international language and is very important in Cambodia, where tourism makes up over 16% of the country’s GNP. The industry employs thousands of people in Siem Reap’s hotels, restaurants, and shops. Many others work as freelance tour guides and taxis. It is difficult to find work that pays a living wage without English.

We have been providing English language classes since our founding in 2009. We currently operate English classes at Wat Tramneak Pagoda in Siem Reap and in Stoung, Kampong Thom province. Together, these schools reach more than 200 students.

Offering English classes allows motivated students to learn the language, creating a bridge to job opportunities and meaningful careers in the tourism and hospitality sector. Finding work in the city will bring a higher salary and gives the students the ability to support themselves and their families back home. Without the school, students will most likely inherit their parents’ careers, the majority of which practice agriculture. While there is nothing wrong with these careers, it eliminates the chance of upward mobility and its benefits, like healthcare, a nutritious diet, and advanced education.

According to Water.org, in 2022 more than 2 million rural Cambodians still lacked access to clean drinking. Many in the communities we work in are amongst them. Others claim to drink clean water, but it would be considered contaminated by international standards, and is a reason residents experience so many gastrointestinal and skin issues.

Our clean water initiative began in Banteay Srey. Between 2009 and 2011 we built seven wells throughout Kon Deng village. We have distributed over 100 ceramic filters and provided clean water and sanitation training to complement the distribution.

We continue our efforts in Kompong Khleang, the floating village, where most residents still drink directly from the lake. We have purchased 35 biosand filters to date, providing clean water for over 200 residents. We have also partnered with EcoSoap, ensuring residents have access to affordable recycled soap, and conducted WASH trainings with Husk Cambodia. In 2022, we built a large reservoir providing hundreds of residents access to easily treatable water during the dry season.

In Cambodia, the typical student will not begin formal education until primary school. In some cases, this can start as late as eight years old. This is a major issue, as crucial development occurs between the ages of four and seven. Students who begin studying and developing critical thinking skills and social behaviors at a younger age are more likely to finish their studies and succeed later in life.

Our pre-primary school in Kompong Khleang is open to students from ages four to eight. Our curriculum introduces students to reading and writing, simple mathematical exercises, and creative arts through drawing. After studying with us, students can transfer to Grade 2 of primary school, helping alleviate overcrowding at the government school.

We also provide a boat for students to take to the primary school during the rainy season when roads are submerged. This removes a logistical hurdle to education many students face by living on the Tonle Sap lake.