In Poi Pet, where many children grow up surrounded by economic hardship and instability, going to school is not always guaranteed. For Sreylin*, Reksmey* and Chetra*, education was once uncertain and interrupted by poverty, family struggles, and the pressure to survive.
Today, their stories are changing. Through the support of Damnok Toek’s Non-Formal Education (NFE) programme, these three children are not only in school, but they also are building new paths for their futures.
From Survival to the Classroom
Before joining the NFE programme, all three children shared a similar reality: childhood shaped by responsibility rather than learning.
Sreylin, a 10-year-old girl and the eldest of five siblings, spent her days collecting trash and selling vegetables on the streets to support her family. School was never part of her routine.
A 11-year-old Reksmey faced a different but equally difficult path. After her parents’ separation, she moved across provinces with her father in search of work. Financial instability disrupted her education, leaving her future uncertain.
For Chetra, a 12-year-old boy, the burden was even heavier. As the eldest in a large family living in extreme poverty, he often helped his parents scavenge or care for his younger siblings, missing school and had long-term dropouts.
In each case, education became secondary to survival.
Their turning point came when Damnok Toek’s outreach teams identified their situations and stepped in to support not only the children, but their families based on their needs as well. Through counselling, home visits, and continuous engagement, parents began to understand the value of education for their children. As a result, it made one thing possible: the children could return to school.
For Sreylin, she enrolled in the NFE programme in May 2025 and is currently studying at Grade 1. Reksmey has been supported to continue her studies since September 2023 and is now in Grade 4. Chetra joined the accelerated learning programme in December 2024, enabling him to catch up on missed years of education, and is currently taking Grade 3 and 4.
Staying on the Path of Education for the Future
Since returning to school, Reksmey, Sreylin, and Chetra have continued to make meaningful progress in their education, their overall well-being and dream for the future.
Sreylin has become more confident and expressive. Although she occasionally misses classes to help her family collect trash, she actively participates in lessons, communicates openly with her teachers and peers, and shows genuine joy in her daily school routine. “Now I feel happy every day when I come here. I like reading and writing, and my teachers always help me.” Sreylin explains. She also tells that her dream is to become a Khmer literature teacher. With each lesson, she moves one step closer to that goal, inspired by the teachers who support her today.
Reksmey continues to demonstrate strong emotional resilience. Despite her family’s past challenges, she maintains a positive attitude and a strong sense of responsibility. Her role in the Children’s Council has further strengthened her confidence and leadership skills. She remains one of the most active students in her class and continues to perform well and stays highly engaged in school activities.
She shares her dream proudly, “Studying here makes me feel strong. I want to complete my studies, and my dream for the future is to become a teacher”.
For Chetra, the changes are equally significant. With reduced pressure to contribute to household income and more stability at home, he is able to focus on his studies while maintaining a healthier balance between school and family duties. He is now focused on completing his studies and developing practical skills. With a hopeful smile, he shares, “I am very happy to study at Damnok Toek. I have learned to read, write, and do math, and I have teachers and friends who care about me.”
He adds, “I will study hard to finish my education, and my dream is to become a skilled mobile phone repairman.”
All three children continue to attend school regularly and show commitment to their learning. Their attendance remains consistent, and they are steadily progressing in their studies. As their situations stabilise, their visions for the future are becoming clearer and more grounded.
“What we are seeing with these children is not just academic progress. It is a change in confidence, behaviour, and hope. When they feel safe and supported, their ability to learn, grow and dream becomes much stronger”, says Mr. Khom Samnang, Project Coordinator of Education at Damnok Toek’s Pot Pet Branch.
Their lives today are more stable, their well-being is stronger, and their futures are no longer uncertain. While challenges remain, they are now equipped with something they did not have before: the opportunity to study, the support to grow, and the confidence to dream.
*Names have been changed to protect their identities.
To know more about NFE, click here: https://damnoktoek.org/education-in-cambodia
