Health and hygiene education in schools is the foundation for a healthier future for Cambodia’s coastal communities. Why? Because education drives action. When children gain essential knowledge, they can adopt positive practices and habits that ensure their well-being for life.
In the coastal regions of Cambodia – Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Sihanoukville – children face significant challenges that hinder their health and academic success. While these provinces are known for their natural beauty and tourism, many remote and rural villages struggle with limited infrastructure and resources.
Without proper healthcare, access to clean water, and reliable sanitation facilities, preventable diseases spread quickly, impacting negatively the health and education of young students. On top of this, waste management is a pressing concern.
Improper waste disposal and widespread plastic pollution along the coast endanger both public health and the environment. When children fall sick, they miss school, further limiting their chances to learn and thrive.
Co-Action: Empowering Coastal Children
At Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA), we believe that change begins with education. By empowering children with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthier lives, we are contributing to break the cycle of poor health and creating lasting change.
In cooperation with schools and local communities and through our partnership with donors, including the Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child (EAC) programme, AEA supports 22 primary schools in Kep and 35 in Kampot.
A series of monthly awareness-raising activities are designed to instill lifelong healthy habits. These educational sessions equip children with essential health knowledge, including proper handwashing techniques to prevent disease, nutritious diets for strong and healthy growth, and waste management practices that reduce plastic pollution and promote clean schools.
Co-Impact: From Learning to Action
Together, we are strengthening a generation that takes responsibility for its own health – and for the health of their communities and environment. Children are learning vital health and hygiene practices that they can carry with them for life.
They can also share what they’ve learned with their families and communities, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the school grounds. Their schools also become cleaner, healthier spaces where they can thrive both academically and personally.
Together, let’s empower children to make informed decisions about their health and inspire them to create cleaner, healthier spaces for their communities.
