Co-Authored by Whitney Szmodis and Audree-Chase Mayoral
Today we celebrate the centuries-old tradition of International Children's Day. Since its inception in 1856, countries and cultures around the world have celebrated the commitment to protecting and supporting children. While it is both our privilege and responsibility to celebrate children each and every day, today gives us an opportunity to share with the world the ways in which we protect and support the next generation.
We all have an impact on the lives of children in both direct and indirect ways. We serve as role models, teachers, parents, political figures, and more. It is through our own actions and behaviors that serve to provide children with an understanding of the world they will inherit, and how to make it even better than it is today.
To celebrate this day, we showcase the joy and resilience of Cambodian children spending a day at their schools through photography. This photo essay is illustrated in five different themes: (1) commuting to schools, (2) before getting inside the classrooms, (3) inside the classrooms, (4) school recess, and (5) end of the school day. These themes allow us to see various activities the students do in a typical day at their schools. Most of these photos were taken at K-12 schools supported by a non-profit organization in Siem Reap, Caring for Cambodia (CFC).
Caring for Cambodia impacts the lives of 6,600 children by providing everything from breakfast and lunch to dental exams and eyeglasses. If a family can't afford to buy a bike so their child can get to school, CFC provides them with a bike. Students learn the importance of everything from washing their hands to brushing their teeth.
Beyond the basic needs, CFC provides support to government schools to ensure that students receive a quality education. They provide teacher training, libraries, school buildings, life skills, English language training, technology classes, and more. The children at CFC schools not only learn to read and write, but they learn that the world beyond the walls of poverty has not forgotten them. Everyday, and today especially, we remain dedicated to making sure every child is fed. Every child is safe. And every child has hope.
Commuting to Schools
Children riding their bicycles to school in Koh Dach District, Kandal Province.
Taken in Siem Reap province along the National Road 6, this photo depicts a daily routine of students commuting to school on their bicycles every morning from Monday through Saturday. Captured here is the joy of their educational journey and the resilience of these students despite various hardships they encounter.
Different priority: Some children are going to school and some are playing. Location: Siem Reap.
Parents going to work and children on their way to school cross paths early in the morning. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Some parents who live closer to school walk their children to school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Before Getting inside the Classrooms
A kindergartner waving her hand to say goodbye to her mother who just dropped her off at school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students take turns cleaning their school playground early in the morning as soon as they arrive at school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Caring for Cambodia (CFC) provides a “Food for Thought” program where children and their families who drop them off at schools can enjoy breakfast. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
The school meal program provided by Caring for Cambodia (CFC) also teaches students to stay healthy by instilling the habit of washing their hands with soap before and after eating.
Students brushing their teeth after having breakfast at their school. Location: Aranh Cuthbert Lower Secondary School, Siem Reap.
After having breakfast and cleaning their hands and teeth, children get ready to sing the national anthem and raise the flag before starting school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
A student leader giving instructions during the flag raising ceremony first thing in the morning before starting school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
The school principal directing the flag raising ceremony every morning. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students lining up outside of school to enter their classrooms. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Inside the Classrooms
Students raising their hands to answer questions Inside a kindergarten classroom. Location: Kong Much Primary School, Siem Reap.
School retention program provided by CFC helps academically struggling students to keep up with their peers. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students competing with each another to get their teacher’s attention to select them to answer questions. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
The most outstanding student of the week is recognized by being allowed to wear the class crown. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students busy working at their desks inside the classroom. Location: Aranh Sakor Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students learning English on computers via Rosetta Stone software. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Students practicing their Microsoft Excel skills, part of the Caring for Cambodia’s Information and Communication Technology program (ICT). Location: Hun Sen Bakong High School, Siem Reap. (School that Michelle Obama visited in March 2015.)
Students learn to conduct science experiments, part of the Caring for Cambodia’s STEM education program. Location: Aranh Cuthbert Lower Secondary School, Siem Reap.
Students learn to build bridges, part of the CFC’s STEM education program. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
Student participating in a Student Council Program meeting, which promotes three qualities: good child, good friend, and good student. Both girls and boys in grades 4 through 12 lead school initiatives such as participating in community projects, representing the student body, and providing a voice in school affairs. Students learn important problem solving and leadership skills that can serve them later in life.
School Recess
Students play during school recess. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Instead of playing, some students borrow books and a mat and read outside in a group. Location: Bakong Motwani Junior High School, Siem Reap.
Students also can swing on the playground next to students who are reading. Location: Bakong Motwani Junior High School, Siem Reap.
Students reading books during recess inside a library. Location: Bakong Motwani Junior High School, Siem Reap.
The CFC school librarian helps children find their favorite books. Location: Bakong Motwani Junior High School, Siem Reap.
A schoolboy hanging out during school recess. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
A schoolboy playing in the rain during school recess. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
Schoolgirls working on their homework during school recess. Location: Siem Reap.
A schoolgirl enjoying school recess. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
End of the School Day
Adults and students pass each other again on their ways home after work and school. Location: Spean Chreav Amelio Primary School, Siem Reap.
Two elementary school students heading home after a long day of school. Location: Aranh Sakor CFC Primary School, Siem Reap.
Bicycles are the main means of transportation to and from school for all Cambodian students. Location: Siem Reap.
Ponytail flying in the wind as a little girl takes one last look back at school. Location: Koh Dach, Kandal.
Whitney Szmodis is a Ph.D. candidate in Teaching, Learning, and Technology at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Her area of research focuses on the gender disparity in STEM education and the role that socio-cultural factors play in girls’ aspirations to their future careers. She can be reached at wes307@lehigh.edu
Audree Chase-Mayoral is the Associate Director, Global Online Graduate Degrees and Training, at Lehigh University's College of Education. She regularly writes on international education issues and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership. She can be reached at amc308@lehigh.edu