The Cambodia Rural School Project
The O Chrey Nippon
Foundation School
Mr. Un Saroeun is the school director of the O Chrey Nippon Foundation School. He is 46 years old, married, and has six children. His left leg was handicapped in the civil war, thirty years ago. He lives about eight kilometers away from the school and rides a motorbike to school everyday.
| His history: | I was born in one of the villages in Traing district, Takeo province. When I was a seventh grade student, in 1973, the Khmer Rouge took control of my village. They forced me to become a soldier for the Khmer Rouge. In 1977, I was sent to fight against the Vietnamese along the border, having heard that the Vietnamese soldiers were invading through Cambodia’s eastern border. That is where I was shot. I can’t recall the exact date or month, but I remember the year: 1977. I was shot in the knee. Even today, my left leg won’t bend.
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| On teaching: | I like teaching social studies, because it teaches morality. It is a topic that can teach children good and polite behavior; it can teach them how to pay respect. Now, I think that Khmer culture and tradition is going down, while foreign culture spreading through television broadcasts, video and radio. That is why I want to uphold our traditions and culture by putting weight on social study teaching at school.
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| On his students: | Most of my students are best in social studies, and then mathematics. I have noted that most of them are interested in mathematics.
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| On the New building: | It is unbelievable that there is such a fine concrete building on the border. I am one of the people who made a proposal to ask for this building and when it was approved I was very surprised. In the old building there were no windows or doors; it was difficult to keep documents and teaching materials. Now it is safe to keep them at the school.
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