No roads, no buses – just boats. In Cambodia’s floating villages, children hold onto their dreams with remarkable resilience, and Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) stands with them. The fight for equal education continues. Our efforts are to bridge the gap between remote and urban areas, because no child should be left behind.
In Cambodia’s floating villages, where life is built on water, the journey to education is a daily struggle. Unlike children in other areas who can walk or cycle to school – or, for the most fortunate, be driven by their parents in a car – students in Prey Chas, Battambang, have no choice but to rely on boats. The journey to school is not only time-consuming and physically demanding but also dangerous, especially during the rainy season.
Fearing for their children’s safety, some parents opt to keep them at home, leading to high absenteeism and dropout rates. Transportation challenges deprive many children of regular schooling, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in urban areas. Irregular attendance affects literacy rates, future job prospects, and the overall well-being of these communities.
Yet, despite the hardships, their determination remains unshaken. Every day, young learners brave the waters to reach their classrooms. Ky Sithy, a 13-year-old girl, radiates with a beautiful smile and beams with ambition. “I love Khmer literature, and my dream is to work for the police!” she says. Her dream is a symbol of the unwavering spirit of young learners who refuse to let geographical barriers stand in their way.
Fueled by his love for Khmer literature and mathematics, Morn Channy, also 13, shares his aspirations. “I go to school by boat, and I enjoy Khmer literature and mathematics. My dream is to become a teacher.” These childrens’ stories reflect the resilience of an entire generation that refuses to let isolation define their future.
AEA seeks to expand their opportunities to learn more, achieve more, and dream bigger.
Co-Action: Empowering Floating Communities
Recognizing that education should never be out of reach, AEA has stepped in to address transportation challenges. The NGO has provided motorized boats to schools, helping students in floating communities to reach their schools consistently and on time, without fear of missing out on their future.
For many families, survival takes priority. According to Loeam Sothea, AEA field officer in Battambang, “many parents in the floating village are busy with fishing and other work. They need to earn a living and cannot take their children to school.” By making school access easier, AEA aims to boost attendance and reduce dropout rates.
In partnership with Education Above All’s (EAA) Educate A Child (EAC) programme, AEA is not just providing transport – it is breaking barriers to education. The initiative tackles broader challenges by offering scholarships, learning materials, remedial classes for struggling students, teacher training, and essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, including water filters and handwashing stations.
These efforts empower students to thrive in a supportive learning environment.
Co-Impacts: Education as key for change
The partnership between AEA and EEA’s EAC goes beyond simply getting children to school; it’s about transforming entire communities. Education plays a key role in breaking the cycle of poverty, giving children the literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills needed for better job prospects. It leads to stronger local economies, improved livelihoods, and healthier communities.
While the partnership has already made a significant impact, continued efforts and investments are essential to sustain and expand these education programs in remote areas. More support and greater community involvement are needed to ensure that every child in Cambodia’s isolated villages has an equal opportunity to learn and thrive.
By improving access to education, we are not just helping children reach school – we support them in reaching their full potential, paving the way for a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
