Solidarity is Strength

In the school year 2008-09, students of grade 8 didn’t have classroom to study; they must go to the secondary school at Kralanh which is 15 km away. The students and parents were worried because children must use a vehicle to go away from home. In this case many girls will drop out. Thus PEPY suggested to the District Office of Education to build 2 temporary classrooms until we have a school building. At the meeting with the students’ parents about the English and Computer classes PEPY and the high school teachers stimulate parents to contribute something to the construction.  PEPY made a leaflet to announce the population of 11 villages in Chanleas Dai commune. Around 400 leaflets have been distributed to villagers include local authorities such as one commune chief and 11 villages chiefs. The local authorities and the parent committee have been involved in this process through meetings and calls for help. We saw students of the high school start to bring sheets of palm leaves. On Saturday 4th October 2008 around 30 community members started to cut and assemble columns and piece of wood supply by PEPY. Some students were there and tried to help as they could. They were tired but happy because they hope that children can study at the beginning of the school year in their commune. At that time PEPY offered a lunch for who came to construct the 2 classrooms. We found that during the construction of 10 days, around 50 villagers came to build the temporary school and students brought 960 sheets of palm leaves and contributed 90,000 Riels (about 23 US dollars) too for achieving the goal. This participation seemed not so much important but for me it was precious because it proves real community solidarity. I hope this model inspire in the future a culture of the common benefit.