In the quiet coastal province of Kep, a new kind of lesson is unfolding—one found not only in textbooks, but also on the walls of Damnak Chang Our Primary School. A colourful, child-friendly nutrition poster is helping teachers promote healthy eating habits from the earliest years.
In Cambodia’s coastal regions, where many families depend on fishing and farming for their livelihoods, undernutrition and poor eating habits are often hidden barriers to education. Children who skip breakfast, rely on sugary drinks, or lack access to balanced meals are more likely to struggle with concentration, fall behind in class—or even drop out altogether.
A simple poster featuring a barred bottle of Coca-Cola may seem like a small addition to a school wall. But for teachers, parents and children, this visual tool is helping to break down the hidden barriers to learning.
Low-Cost, High-Impact Solutions
Under the Consortium for Sustainable Alternatives and Voice for Equitable Development (CO-SAVED), co-funded by the European Union (EU), Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) supports the production of culturally relevant posters for young learners in Cambodia.
“It is a valuable tool for teaching children about healthy eating and helping them identify foods and drinks that may be harmful to their health,” explains Ann Channy, M&E Field Officer at AEA Cambodia.
“The posters were designed according to standards developed by the Ministry of Education, with our support provided for their printing and distribution.”
By backing practical, low-cost tools that respond to local needs, we are helping schools address the hidden barriers to education—such as poor nutrition and lack of health awareness. This is part of our commitment to locally led, sustainable education that supports children’s learning and overall well-being.
Our support is about creating the right conditions for children to stay in school, thrive, and grow into healthy, informed adults.
“No Coke”: Local Ownership, Long-Term Impact
The posters were shared with schools across Cambodia, including Damnak Chang Our Primary School. Teachers use them during monthly health education sessions, with support from local authorities and the community.
With simple, clear imagery, the posters are accessible even to early graders and children still learning to read. Designed to illustrate the difference between everyday foods and occasional treats, these visual tools enable students of all ages—including non-readers—to understand key nutrition messages.
Even the youngest children now can say: “No Coke!”
This simple intervention is helping shift daily habits—and, in turn, contributing to better concentration, improved attendance, and increased participation in class. Because when children are healthy, learning follows.
And what we learn early in life, stays with us forever.
