Last week I started volunteering at Hope School in Cambodia and after just a week I have realised how lucky I am. I remember being sat at home and complaining to my mother because I didn’t have enough clothes and then this week I have seen a little girl in my class wearing the same clothes for a week that has ripped holes in and is covered in mud. I have seen a little girl be so happy to receive just a backpack so she can carry her school stuff. These kids sleep in overcrowded areas often just with a piece of metal as the roof and their houses is completely filthy. The children I teach are often walking and cycling (only cycling because of donated bicycles from the volunteers) an hour to come to school to learn English in hope of a better life.

Hope school was founded seven years ago by a guy called Jason who is a local called Bakod Village where the school is situated. He managed to get an education and then moved to the city where he had the realisation that he needed to help those in his local village through the means of education. He set up the school which is completely free for any child even if they have special needs. There is even a boy who is an orphan who has cerebral palsy and they make tools to help him communicate. Alongside hope school there is an orphanage where it helps orphans and those who have been abandoned by their family in hope to give them a better life. In addition to all this there is a food bank and a renovation project which helps build homes and feed those who are the poorest in the community. It also takes care of all the animals on site even to the extent that they get a vet all the way from Vietnam to help one of their dogs. Hope school is an amazing place which needs more funding and more volunteers.

These kids are lucky to get a job that isn’t in the rice fields and the children I teach wake up at 5 to go to work before going to school. However after speaking to these children I know that these children’s aspirations are to be doctors or teachers and want to support their family.

In order for them to achieve their dreams they need donations from people like us who can donate their coffee money to help children get a brighter future. All I am asking for a few pounds to help these children. Thank you.