In 2006 the Ponheary Ly Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization, an American tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation. It is funded exclusively through individual donations, and staffed principally by volunteers.  At incorporation there were 147 students sponsored at 1 primary school receiving school uniforms and supplies. Today there are 2500 students across ten schools receiving a broad range of services, bringing them a meaningful educational experience.

Now that we’ve got a few years under our belts, we can put together some charts and tables to show the growth, both in breadth and depth, of the organization.

Program Summary

Student Sponsorship — This includes distribution of supplies, books, shoes, and uniforms to children whose parents cannot afford them, removing the first obstacle to access to education.

Breakfast –  Breakfast is provided at Knar and Koh Ker by the World Food Program and augmented by PLF to upgrade lunch from a starvation ration to a nutrition ration.

Teacher Support — Teachers at Knar, Tchey and Koh Ker are paid monthly subsidies to augment their government salaries, enabling them to teach full time.  At Wat Bo an annual bonus of $1,500 is split among 60 teachers at the school. Teaching supplies, training and continuing education classes are also provided to all schools as needed to enhance the quality of the instruction.

Bicycles –  Bicycles are awarded to all graduating 6th graders, enabling them to travel to secondary school which is often a great distance from their villages. Enrollment in secondary school increased 35% when we started the bicycle program.  Bikes are also awarded to the first and second in class in grades 4 and 5 as an incentive for academic excellence.

Wellness –  The children at Koh Ker were chronically and critically ill from malaria, dengue fever, malnutrition and other infections; PLF hired a full-time on-site field nurse to treat the symptoms and underlying issues.  Emergency medical care is also accessible to all students at all schools, including transport to the children’s hospital and food rations for the family if they have to accompany their children (there is no nursing staff at the hospital).  Hygiene instruction and practice have been added at Knar to address other health issues, such as the foot and leg infections that are endemic at Knar.

English –  We provide English classes at all 3 rural schools: Tche, Koh Ker and Knar; children in grades four, five and six are invited to attend providing they who do well in their Khmer studies. Knowing a foreign language is key to a better paying job in an area where tourism is the number one industry. Children who attend high school are required to have a foreign language to graduate, and English is the de facto language for university study.

Technology –  PLF installed and operates a computer lab powered by solar at Tchey, maintains a computer lab at Wat Bo including provision of internet service, and has put in a very successful Technology Training Center at PLF Offices.

School Events –  Visitors sponsor field trips to the temples at Angkor Wat, the Cultural Museum, and National Museum, as well as lunch and art projects at each school.

Secondary School Scholarships –  School year 2011-12 will see PLF Canada and PLF USA working together to begin support our secondary school programs including the dormitory at Srayang.

Any person may at any time write to Lori Carlson via the contact form of the website and request copies of our 990′s that are filed each year with the IRS.

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