The Cambodia Rural School Project
The Aeon Orange School
(July, 2001)
Mr. Lao Sopheary is the director of the Aeon Orange School. He has been the school director for three years and a fifth grade teacher for 21 years. He is married with one child, who is already an adult.
In Their Own Words. . .
| On the new building: | “The students could not study when it rained because the old building had no walls, so rain would spray the class. The new building has a good roof and is strong and safe. Now all of the students can study when it rains. Student enrollment has increased by more than 30 since the new building was built. The new building is important for the village because it helps the people. We used to have to collect money from the villagers for repairs to the old building, but now we no longer need to.”
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| On teaching: | “I became a teacher when Vietnam came into Cambodia. The village didn’t have any teachers, so I became one. Before than, I was a farmer. During the Pol Pot time, I worked from morning to night, with no days off, and life was very difficult. I applied to become a teacher because I want to train young kids and help them to become smart. To be a good teacher, I have to make sure that the students study. When I teach them well, they can do many things and help the older people. I like watching my students grow up.”
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| On school subjects: | “I like to teach Khmer and mathematics because I would like all children to know how to read and calculate. Geography lessons are hard to teach because they are long and the students have difficulty paying attention. The students like mathematics because it is easy for them and useful outside of class.” |
