One of the biggest effects of HIV and AIDS on a community like Battambang is on its children. Many are left vulnerable because their families are destroyed, many more are left orphaned and, of course, some children are born with HIV themselves.

That’s why ActionAid, with our partner DCWO has set up a series of non-formal schools. These are independent to the state schools, which are often too far away for children to get to (a task made all the more difficult by the legacy of land mines left as a result of the area’s previous status as a stronghold of the Khmer Rouge).

The schools are very basic in construction, but it is enough for teachers like Nam Sopheneany to teach essential skills like Khmer and simple maths. She says she wants to make a difference to children's lives.

“We are committed to teaching the children and if we had more support, we would teach more and give more children and education – make more children smarter!”

The classes are split into two, morning and afternoon, with the younger children attending one session and the older ones the other. This allows the children to help their parents with farming tasks in the other half of the day

The schools also serve a social purpose, providing children with vital time to interact with other people their age. Buth Srey Aun puts it very simply:

“I like coming to school and playing with my friends.”

Regular funding from ActionAid supporters allows DCWO to support these schools by supplying materials such as exercise books and pens, providing some basic training to the voluntary teachers and allocating them an allowance ($20 per month) which covers their travel costs.

Touch Srim is very happy her 8-year-old son Yun Try can go to school after her two older sons missed out on an education because they had to help out on the family farm.

“If you cannot read and write and do maths it is difficult to get a job, and without a job you can’t earn money and without money you can’t eat.”