Young teaching initiatives

Rady teaching English to younger children

“In my community most children can not afford to go to school or study with a private tutor. The school is also very far and small children can not go to school by themselves.  I want the children to have a good knowledge of English so they will be able to find good jobs and earn more income to help their families”, says Rady, 18 years old.

Rady is a high school student in the countryside. For about a year, with support from Plan, Rady and his classmates have had the opportunity to study English, a very useful language since South-East Asia’s fastest growing tourism destination, the temple of Angkor Wat, is literally around the corner.

Rady shares his dream of helping younger children with many of his classmates and together they initiated evening classes for younger children in their villages.

“Even though my English is limited I volunteer to teach children in my village free of charge. I try very hard to learn English at school, and then I do my best to share what I learn to the children.  Knowing English can help us to find a good job in town.  I really want to see the progress of my community,” says Savien, 18 years old. 

The young teachers are as active at school as they are at home. Teaching English to the children in their villages is an additional activity on top of helping their parents at home to cultivate their rice field and make baskets to sell.

“The community is fortunate to have young members with such a strong commitment”, said one of Svaien’s neighbours.

To help the young volunteers with their teaching Plan provided them with some school materials. The lessons usually last for two hours and are held six days a week.  It has been a popular activity where the parents and head of the village happily encourage the children to join.