By Jojo Lam, CEO of Teach For Cambodia
The recent conflict along the border of Cambodia and Thailand has created a profound crisis. It is devastating to consider the impact on both sides. In Cambodia, it has displaced 40,000 families and disrupted the education of more than 150,000 students with the closure of over 600 schools. As communities in our Northwest regions grapple with the immediate impacts of the conflict, the need for both urgent relief and sustainable solutions has never been more critical.
Over these past two weeks, I’ve been inspired by the collective leadership shown across our communities to support those who have been impacted by the conflict—including the unwavering commitment of Teach For Cambodia alumni. Our two-year leadership development program is designed to cultivate lifelong leaders who are deeply connected to the communities where they taught and where their students’ families live.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, so many of these educators, now working in various sectors across the country, have been mobilizing their skills and networks to address the multifaceted challenges posed by this crisis. Their emergency response efforts demonstrate the kind of leadership that is needed now: compassionate, locally-rooted, and deeply committed to the well-being of Cambodia’s children.
Peng An, a 2018 alumnus working at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, has been supporting crisis-affected teachers by distributing study materials and training them to use the Primary Learning Program, an online interactive learning website to keep students learning. Peng An shared that he is driven to do this relief work because he believes that “educated children are the foundation of long-term peace, resilience, and economic stability,” which for me highlights the crucial role that educators play in building peaceful societies.
Kechleng, a 2019 alumna working at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), exemplifies compassionate leadership. Having recently visited one of the impacted provinces, she felt a personal connection to the crisis. Through her work at RUPP and her volunteer efforts with the Pich Sophea Charity, she helped channel heartbreak into action, providing direct relief such as food and gas stoves to ensure residents’ immediate safety. After addressing these survival needs, her focus shifted to maintaining education, encouraging teachers to use virtual learning platforms like GEIP EdTech to support students in self-study.
Navy, a 2019 alumna working at the KMH Foundation, is committed to rebuilding what has been lost. She believes that a locally-led emergency response needs people who lead with their hearts, are emotionally resilient, and are grounded in their values. As the foundation considers how to leverage their strengths to support rebuilding, they are currently providing emergency support to displaced families through food and basic needs.
Sochetra, a 2020 alumnus and Project-Based Mentor at Kampuchea Action to Promote Education (KAPE), was particularly worried about the long-term impact on children’s education and mental health, recognizing that students need to feel safe before they can learn. Drawing on his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, he is hoping to distribute educational materials like picture books and reading games to children in the evacuation camps, while also fundraising and preparing to deliver clean water and learning materials. As a Network Connector with Teach For All, he is leveraging connections across the global network to exchange ideas on supporting learning during conflict.
These are just four examples of the collective effort of the Teach For Cambodia alumni network and community. There are many more who are responding to the crisis in multiple ways—including those who call the conflict-affected region home and are working to ensure the safety and security of their own relatives as well as the wider community.
Our alumni embody our belief that investing in local leadership is the most effective way to drive systemic change. In this moment of crisis, they are providing urgent support to children in need, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a more equitable and resilient education system for decades to come. Their actions demonstrate that even in the darkest times, a generation of local leaders committed to their nation’s future can lead with hope, empathy, and strategic purpose.
Beyond these immediate relief efforts, Teach For Cambodia knows there is a profound need to safeguard the future of the thousands of children whose education has been interrupted by this period of unrest along the border. In the coming months we will be expanding our fellowship program into the Northwest to meet these new needs. To learn more or support these efforts, visit our Global Giving page.
Photo provided by Kechleng, 2019 alumna, from her trip to donate care packages to evacuated families with the Pich Sophea Charity