A trio of schools in Phnom Penh, Cambodia celebrated the donation of computers and renovations of existing classrooms into state-of-the-art computer labs by the Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On September 25, 2024, the Association turned over the fully functional computer labs in a ceremony presided by the Administrative Director of Meanchey District in Phnom Penh, Chea Vong Chantha.
Also in attendance were Wat Dambok Khpuos Secondary School Principal Sorm Sott, Chamroeun Phal High School Principal Ly Sovanna, Hun Sen Chak Angre High School Principal Nhow Chhunhak, and other schoolteachers and staff from the trio of schools. From the Association, President Reath Chansophea, Vice President Yorn Sophaneth, and full-time volunteer couples Elder Neal and Sister Carol Ann Clinger, and Elder Kimball and Sister Susan Harris attended the ceremony.
President Reath shared that the Association’s mission is to improve the self-reliance of the community through the donations. He said, “The members of the Association fast for two meals each month and donate the cost of those meals to the Association to be used to assist communities around the world.”
The Administrative Director and principals expressed gratitude to the Association for the collaborative support and generous donations from Association members. The computer labs provide new tools for teaching and preparing the children for the technologies they will encounter as they continue their education and careers in Cambodia.
The three schools support over 4,400 students with over 60 classrooms. Each school received 20 to 40 computers fully installed with software, keyboards, computer mice, and display monitors. Existing classrooms were renovated by the Association and converted into secure computer labs with electrical infrastructure, secure doors, lighting, fans, and air conditioning to maintain a comfortable and clean learning environment.
After the ceremony, the attendees toured one of the new computer labs. Enthusiastic students were working on the computers and demonstrating their developing typing skills and mastery of the system and applications available for their use.
Earlier exposure and use of these computer resources will prepare the students to be thrust into the modern age and gradually master technological developments in Cambodia and the world, increasing their employability and various skillsets to foster an even more globally connected and digitally advanced country.