Across Cambodia, many children face barriers that keep them out of school—poverty, migration, disability, or the need to work to support their families. For these children, missing the chance to study means losing more than just their given right to learn literacy and numeracy skills; it also limits their opportunities for a better future.
Damnok Toek’s Non-Formal Education (NFE) program in Neak Loeung was created as a bridging mechanism for children who had been left behind. Through catch-up classes from grade one to three, emotional support, and close collaboration with families, the program helps children regain confidence and the skills they need to enter public school.
Some inspiring cases of children who successfully transitioned from Damnok Toek’s NFE program to public school is highlighted below. Their journeys show that with the right support, every child can return to education and dream of a brighter future.
The first child is Sopheap*, who is currently studying in Grade 6 at Bun Rany Hun Sen Otdom Samaki Primary School. Before that, she had been out of school for years after leaving Grade 2. During that time, her family struggled with debt and instability, and she received little care or encouragement to continue studying. Surrounded by adults who were mostly illiterate, Sopheap’s chance to return to education seemed uncertain.
In 2023, her father registered her in Damnok Toek’s Non-Formal Education program after being referred through the Child Safe Agency network.
With support from teachers and the provision of school materials and transportation, Sopheap quickly regained her learning confidence. She worked hard in every subject and showed strong determination to catch up. After just one year, Sopheap successfully reintegrated into public school at Grade 4 and now ranks first in her class.
Another child is Sokphal*, who is now a Grade 5 student at the same primary school as Sopheap, and who had never attended school before joining Damnok Toek’s NFE program in 2022. His family migrated to the area in search of work at a garment factory, and financial hardship made education a low priority. Living with meningitis, Sokphal also faced health challenges that affected his daily life.
When he joined the NFE class, he started learning basic literacy and numeracy for the first time. The program supported him with school materials, transportation, and personal encouragement. In 2023, he was successfully integrated into a public school, where he currently ranks 11th out of 37 students in his class. For Sokphal and his family, this marks a remarkable step toward stability and hope for a better future.
Middle: Sokphal*; Sokphal is with his family and Damnok Toek’s staff.
In addition, Thul*, an 11-year-old currently studying in Grade 5 at Samdech Techo Hun Sen Prek Khsay Primary School, had never been in school before joining Damnok Toek’s NFE program in 2021. His family’s life has been filled with challenges — his parents are in debt, his father struggles with alcohol, and the family’s income is unstable. With nine family members, daily survival was the main focus, leaving little room for education.
Middle: Thul*; Thul is with his family.
At Damnok Toek’s NFE center, Thul received not only lessons but also consistent care and encouragement from teachers who believed in his potential. Today, Thul is attending public school and though his academic journey continues to be challenging, he has shown perseverance and steady progress — proving that even in the most difficult circumstances, education can open new possibilities.
Finally, Sreyrath*, a Grade 6 student at the same primary school as Thul, has endured many hardships from a young age. Her parents divorced and abandoned her, and she has since been raised by her grandmother, who suffers from illness and lives in another family’s home. Her mother has a mental health condition, and her family has no stable support system.
In 2021, Damnok Toek identified Sreyrath as a child in need and enrolled her in the NFE program. Having never attended school before, she started from the basics — learning to read, write, and count. With regular follow-up, materials, and transportation assistance, she began to flourish in her studies.
The stories of these four children demonstrate the power of second chances. Integration into public school is not always an easy path—many children face initial struggles with learning, financial issues, or balancing family responsibilities. But with encouragement from teachers, support from families, and continued follow-up from Damnok Toek, they are now building new futures through education.
These successes confirm that education is not only a fundamental right but also a powerful tool to break cycles of vulnerability. Each child who returns to school is proof that no matter the challenges, change is possible.
*The names have been changed in order to protect their identity
