Renovations Improve School Life at Sothearos

On August 14, 2024, a handover ceremony took place for the renovated buildings at Sothearos Primary and Secondary Schools in Sangkat Tonle Basak, Chamkar Mon district in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Civic and school leaders, as well as representatives of the Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sponsored the renovations, gathered for the event.

Participants for the ceremony included Sem Monichoth, deputy director of Education, Youth and Sports in the Office of Chamkar Mon district, Sothearos Primary School Principal Khin Sophan, Sothearos Secondary School Principal Ve Sochan, and Church Association President Reath Chansophea.

During his ceremonial speech, Principal Khin thanked the Association “for this help that has made our school grow”. His counterpart Principal Ve shared that now, “Our school has significant changes, with a new school building allowing students to … study, as well as [providing] clean and hygienic bathrooms for students, …teachers, and guardians.”

There are 47 kindergarteners, 570 primary schoolers and 200 secondary school students attending the two Sothearos schools. Thus, 817 students, with additional school staff and parents, will benefit from this renovation project. Association President Reath explained, “The Association is honored to be a part of helping Sothearos Primary and Secondary Schools. We believe that the education sector will help everyone to gain knowledge and good work in the future, as well as reduce [the number of] poor in Cambodia.”

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Before this project began, there were concerns at the schools with flooded facilities, unusable toilet buildings, and other unsafe conditions. These gave rise to potentially dangerous consequences that could result in the students not being able to continue their education if the buildings continued to be used as a school.

The scope of the project included providing school equipment beyond renovations. The Association provided school supplies and lunch boxes for Sothearos Primary School and renovated two five-block toilets. Sothearos Secondary School had ground floor classrooms painted inside and out, and the toilets were also renovated.

The schools helped the project by removing fallen tree branches from around the toilet blocks to prepare for the renovation. Members of the Association’s young single adult group helped in putting together the school supplies with backpacks and lunch boxes.

By replacing broken tiles, the students have a safer school environment. The renovated toilet buildings provide better sanitation. The school supplies provided will cover the school year, allowing families of these recipient students to use more of their money for their basic needs at home. The lunch boxes provide a reuseable way for students to bring their meals to school each day.

Deputy Director Sem said, “After I heard how the Association could have the funds to do a …project, I was amazed … [at] the love from the hearts of each member of the [Association] who fasted their two meals to donate for these projects. We are excited and grateful for the dedication of the Association and [its] members … to help Sothearos Primary and Secondary Schools….” He encouraged the students to take care of the school.