“I hope someday one [of my students] will become very successful and remember me who is the one who helped them to learn,” says teacher Morn Simoun from Tchey School. Simoun is just one of four English teachers at

Tchey School's teachers seek University education to improve their teaching

Tchey who are seeking their Pedegogy or University education to become better teachers, but can’t afford the costs of higher education

The PLF is hoping to fund these teachers' higher education as an investment in giving the students at Tchey school a better education.

“I like to teach because I like the students to get the knowledge, so they can know about the way to live in society and develop Cambodia. Then they could, instead of me, help the other children who will come after them. Anyway, I want them to become good people in the future,” says Rithy Thoueng who teaches the third grade, including English, as well as computer class. He dreams of returning to school to help himself become a better teacher, and maybe get a better teaching job to better support his family.

            These teachers, though young, are the end of a generation that experienced the roughest times in Cambodian history, and understand the importance of developing the country by focusing on educating the young. These 4 individuals are dedicated to their students and to teaching, but worry about being replaced by other teachers, not being able to afford to support their families and not being of good service to their students. Going to University to further their education would allow them to become better teachers and earn higher salaries.

“In my other job, I also am a farmer,” says teacher Chhlaing Vis. “My wife also and all my family helps to grow the rice for our life. If I can go to the University, I can continue to study and learn more how to teach. I can help the developing of my country to grow from education.”

Name: Thoeung Rithy Age: 27 Birthplace: Brayut Village, Siem Reap Province Marital Status: Married, one son Education: Completed high school and teacher training school. Classes Taught: English 1 & English 2, Computer Class Goals: To attend university to become a principal   UPDATE ON RITHY: July 30, 2010 Rithy has been sponsored to return to University to pursue his Bachelors in Education by Maywin Liu, a volunteer who taught in Rithy's English class last year. Rithy will commence September 6, 2010 at Bill Bright University.	Name: Morn Simoun Age: 32 Birthplace: Cholong Village, Siem Reap City Marital Status: Married, three children Education: Completed high school and teacher training school. Classes Taught: English 1 Goals: To attend university to become a high school teacher	Name: Tep Sok Vann Age: 32 Birthplace: Kampham Village, Siem Reap Province Marital Status: Married, one son Education: Completed high school and teacher training school. Classes Taught: English 2 Goals: To go to university in order to become a better teacher.	Name: Chhlaing Vis Age: 30 Birthplace: Thmey Village, Siem Reap Province Marital Status: Married, two daughters Education: Completed high school. Classes Taught: English 1 Goals: To attend teacher training school or university to become a better English teacher.

 For information about donating to fund higher education for Tchey school's teachers, contact Lori Carlson at

 Article by Brooke Heinichen