English has historically played a very important role in Cambodian language and culture. It has been used for communication within most key work sectors. Cambodian students can dramatically improve their life chances if they can speak English after they finish High School. However, English is not taught in Government Schools and it is not free for all students who want to learn. So students from rural areas can rarely afford to pay for English classes in their home village. Attending town schools is often difficult as they are too far from their home.

An English school in Tropoung Run village has been the dream of local tour guide Sey Shon for many years. Sey Shon personally experienced first-hand the change to his life chances that improved English skills can bring. Through the support of a non-governmental organisation he enrolled on free English classes and successfully gained a scholarship for further studies at university.

The Bakong commune is in Siem Reap province, a part of Cambodia with few opportunities other than farming. A new English school would enable children from poor families who cannot afford to go to private English schools or cannot afford to continue their studies at High school and University.

This funding will enable to purchase of suitable land and the building of premises, the purchase of classroom resources and the recruitment and training of school staff.

The project will aspire to develop a school with a number of entry levels that cater for different age ranges and abilities. Its key demographic
is the creation of a free programme that will a General English Programme and English for Purposes Programme, providing a sustainable education centre in the village. This project will also offer school scholarships to enable them to continue to High school and University.