The Cambodia Rural School Project
The Thkeng Nippon
Foundation School
Thon Chet is a third grade student, and will be attending the Thkeng Nippon Foundation School as soon as it opens (shown in the background). In his class of thirty-four, he was ranked first.
| On himself: | I am twelve years old. I have six siblings. Two of them are at school. My parents grow rice, eggplants, corn, potatoes, chili, jackfruit, and cashews. Walking to school from my house takes about twenty minutes.
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| On the new building: | I am really looking forward to changing schools. I want to learn in the new building. It will be much more comfortable. There was no respect for the old school. No discipline. People would [urinate and defecate] inside the classroom. One time I saw a lump of [excrement] in the classroom. Someone had left it there the night before. I covered it with sand and kept on studying. Another time, someone stole a few of the desks. The school had no door, so they could just take them.
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| Favorite subjects: | I like Khmer and Math the most. I’m good in both. I compete with my friends about who can first finish the reading. My favorite story is called “The Good Boy”. It’s about a boy who respects the old people, tries to study very much, help their parents with chores, and help them when they meet difficulties.
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| In his spare time: | I help my parents maintain the fence and collect water from the well for the water jar. I also play sports. My favorite sports are soccer, tug-of-war, and dodge ball.
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