Apart from the widespread destruction of roads, homes and livelihoods, the recent flooding in Cambodia has disrupted the start of the new academic year. Many schools have only just returned after the long holiday and some, like Kbal Spean and Pongro [both about 5 miles from Svay Sisophon] are still experiencing floodwater very close to the school premises. But our Cambodian friends are very resilient and enterprising and so life goes on: teaching and learning, tuck shop, playtime, lunch….just like schools everywhere. The raised driveway you see in the first picture was made possible several years ago mostly by contributions from the former St John’s Catholic Infant School, Norwich. Without this driveway, there is no access to the school at all.
Prisoners at Svay Prison had to be evacuated at the height of the floods.The church centre at Svay Sisophon has also started their new academic year with 24 new students, all from rural villages. They have been selected to come and live at the De Nobili Centre so they can attend the town’s high school and then on to skills training or maybe university. Support Cambodia contributes financial assistance to enable these students to take advantage of this much sought-after educational opportunity.
