To Grow An Orchid
Helping young people in Cambodia finish school
What we do
We provide funding to the poorest students in rural Cambodia — for books, clothing and extra tuition — to help them finish school. We also created IT Club Cambodia, a free digital skills programme teaching students how to use email, search the internet, and stay safe online. Subjects not taught in schools.
Rural Cambodia lags behind urban areas. Many students live at school or with relatives because home is too far to travel. From the age of fifteen they cook, clean and wash for themselves. Educating these young people brings skills and income to their communities. Many of their parents received little or no education under the Khmer Rouge.
Why rural Cambodia?
In rural areas where salaries are less than $150 per month, many parents struggle to keep their children at school. The alternatives are garment factories or working in the fields.
Girls get left behind most. They face pressure to stay home and help the family. We commit to supporting them.
Our charity helps students with funds for food, clothes, books and extra tuition — and provides free IT education through IT Club Cambodia.
To achieve a digital economy
Cambodia is building a digital economy. Everyone should be able to use email, use Google, and enjoy social media without fear of fraud or abuse.
Our aim is to bring these skills to students in rural schools through IT Club Cambodia, currently delivered through funded teachers providing extra classes in partnership with Enfants du Mekong.
Education in Cambodia — key facts
- Educational standards are among the lowest in Southeast Asia
- Standards are lower in rural areas than in urban areas
- Just 30% of young people beyond age 15 remain at school
- Student-teacher ratios and class sizes are among the highest in the region
- 96% of students say they are satisfied with their lives — well above all averages
- School is regarded as a privilege, not a right
Source: OECD/PISA-D and World Bank reports
How you can help
Every contribution makes a real difference to a young person’s life.
- Sponsor a student — £10 / $12 per month helps with food, books and clothing
- Fund an IT Club class — $25 per week provides IT education for up to 30 students
- Buy pens and stationery — $10 / £8 buys a box of pens. Students tell us stationery is a real struggle.
- Corporate sponsorship — we welcome sponsors for larger projects including IT infrastructure and teacher training
IT Club Cambodia
Are you a school or institute in Cambodia needing help with Information and Communication Technology? If you would like help with IT projects for your school, teachers or students, visit IT Club Cambodia.
Contact form
Contact Us
To get involved or understand more about us
Please contact us and help us improve life of school children in rural Cambodia.
email admin@togrowanorchid.org