Schoolbags in hand, confidence in heart—education must reach every child. Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) contributes to breaking barriers to education for Cambodia’s low-income families. Nearly 1,000 schoolbags and 8,000 notebooks mean endless opportunities.
This morning, a small convoy of colleagues from Phnom Penh arrived at our field office in Kep, carrying boxes of schoolbags and notebooks. Their mission: to ensure that children in coastal regions have the tools they need to learn, grow, and dream.
For children in these areas, where many families rely on fishing or seasonal work, school is not just a place to learn—it is a place of opportunity. Yet without notebooks, pencils, or even a bag to carry their books, many students struggle to keep up.
Among the first to arrive was Un Neam, director of Namiko Phnom Sor Sier Primary School in Kep.
As he approached the stacks of supplies, a smile broke across his face. “I’m very happy to receive this material from AEA because it’s very helpful for poor children in my region,” he said.
This delivery is more than logistics—it is a bridge between urban and rural communities, a gesture of inclusion.
Every Bag Counts, Every Notebook Matters
“This month, we are distributing precisely 995 schoolbags and 7,960 notebooks to 10 model schools in coastal regions: 2 in Kep, 1 in Kampot, 4 in Koh Kong, and 3 in Sihanoukville,” explained Rathana Sao, AEA Operations Officer in the coastal regions.
“Today, we have called teachers and school staff in Kep and Kampot to come to collect the materials at our office.”
With schoolbags and notebooks, children can participate fully in lessons, enjoy their learning, and feel the support of an organisation that cares about their future.
“Sustainability Starts with Education”
Education is a cornerstone for long-term development. In Rathana’s words, “sustainability starts with education.”
By giving children the tools to learn, our COSAVED project, co-funded by the European Union, is helping build confident, capable, and informed citizens—children who may one day help manage their natural resources in coastal regions, support themselves and their communities, and break cycles of poverty.
In Kep that morning, the simple act of handing over school supplies is a story of connection, opportunity, and hope.
Education, even in small packages, can spark lasting change.
