The Bush School, Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a not-for-profit project established in 2010 to serve some of the poorest and most vulnerable children living in villages near the famous Angkor temples. The school was first proposed by the NGO Salvation Centre Cambodia (SCC), with the title Children’s Basic Education (CBE), Siem Reap. “Bush School” is a convenient name for the purposes of our Australian friends.  The NGO SCC has been mainly concerned with the aid and support of the most vulnerable families, notably those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Education of the poorest children is an extension of this work.

The director of SCC in Cambodia  worked with co-founders Chris and Doug  Frewer, of Glenbrook NSW, to establish the school, recruit teachers and arrange the first intake of students. Teachers were trained, particularly in English as a Second Language, and health needs of students also assessed. Chris and Doug were initial donors, later assisted by friends and supporters in Australia and elsewhere. The Lions Club of Winmalee is one such supporter, offering  their organisation as an umbrella for fundraising and support.

HISTORY

The first donors, teachers and facilitators were Chris and Doug Frewer of Glenbrook, New South Wales, Australia. Their involvement came about from a visit to Cambodia in 2009. They taught English to monks and senior students at Wat Thmey, famous for its memorial stupa to victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide. During this time, they met with other Salvation Centre staff, who worked closely with the monks in delivering aid programmes.

Doug and Chris already had teaching experience at another small school with connections to the temple. The new school would help remedy the high absentee rate of children who had dropped out of government schools, and ended up begging at the Angkor Wat temples. With this in mind, Doug and Chris returned to Siem Reap in 2010. Having reviewed the proposed program and costings, they agreed to implement the project and commence the school.

The children’s health, in the first eight months, was of as much concern as their education. All were malnourished, with vitamin deficiencies that could lead to blindness, respiratory, thyroid and other problems; TB and HIV/AIDS were related problems. As far as the limited budget allowed, breakfasts and lunches were provided to students, with daily fruit and fresh drinking water. Malnutrition still continues to be a great worry. The school has a well and pump  to provide water for ablutions, but not for drinking. The school buildings are timber and bamboo structures, with very modest facilities.

(Incidentally, AUD 30 will feed 45 children; eg. 6kg rice, 2kg fish, 3kg mixed

vegetables, condiments, charcoal and gas.)

CURRENT SITUATION

The school has an enrolment of 144 students aged 6 to 16. Students are supplied with uniforms. The curriculum includes maths, geography and maps, general knowledge, hygiene, music and art. Khmer literacy is the starting point.  English as a second language is the prime focus as it is the key to employment prospects of our students, in the future. The teachers are native Khmer, with some holding university degrees..

Nutrition and health care are major concerns. Some funds are set aside for these purposes. Four meals of rice, vegetables, meat or fish, are provided to our students each week, as well as daily fruit and fresh drinking water. Limited medical, dental and optical care is also provided.

The Lions Club of Winmalee is an umbrella organisation for support and fundraising in Australia. The day-to-day management of the school is by our NGO Salvation Centre Cambodia (SCC).The Lions members review progress of the school regularly at meetings, discussing all needs of the students, including education, health care and equipment, and discuss programs of fundraising.

The school has recently been renamed “CBE (Christine)” in memory of founder Christine Frewer who passed away in October 2014. Christine, an experienced English teacher in Australia, was passionate in her love and care of the Cambodian children. Husband Doug, together with good friends and supporters of the school in Australia, are carrying on her legacy.

We look to the continuing future of the school and that of our students, for whom we care so much.

Leave a comment