A Holistic Approach to Education and Wellbeing
The Children’s Basic Education (CBE) School is dedicated to ensuring orphans, vulnerable children, and those living with HIV in slum areas attend primary school safely and regularly. Our core objective is to enhance their knowledge, confidence, and overall wellbeing, achieved through a strategic approach of active community engagement and encouragement. This program is designed to deliver enhanced basic education, foster strong collaborative partnerships, impart vital knowledge of basic rights, and cultivate self-protection skills and a lasting love for learning.
SCC-CBE Christine operates with a dedicated team of nine staff (6 female, 3 male) providing quality education and support. The school’s curriculum spans six subjects—English, Maths, Art, Physical Education, Science, and Music—distributed across two daily sessions, Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.), with breaks adjusted for meal preparation. The weekly schedule ensures a diverse learning experience, including additional sports activities.
SCC-CBE Christine currently serves 127 students (65 girls, 62 boys) across five courses, structured by age and state school grade. These courses include “Let’s Go” levels 1-4, “Headway Elementary,” and a dedicated Computer class, where 10 students (6 female) learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet Email daily.
Recent Final Term Exam results indicate strong academic performance: “New Headway (Elementary)” saw a 95% pass rate, “Let’s Go 2” achieved 90%, “Let’s Go 3” 85%, and “Let’s Go 1” 70%. Student learning quality is comprehensively assessed using a five-criterion rating system—covering tests, class participation, homework, attitude, and attendance—with performance graded from “Need Improvement” to “Very Good.”
Other Supporting and Learning Activities Summary
Beyond academics, CBE School nurtures holistic student development through sports like volleyball, football, and tennis, alongside practical hygiene and healthcare education. Recognizing student nutritional needs, the school, supported by Mr. Doug Frewer and Miss Petra Konecna, provides nutritious meals two days a week and clean drinking water daily, with a dedicated cook preparing diverse menus. Additionally, the scholarship program, championed by Miss Petra Konecna, motivates vulnerable children by connecting 13 students (9 female) with sponsors, empowering them to overcome economic barriers and pursue their education.
Achievements and Improvements
The CBE Christine School has realised significant accomplishments and improvements thanks to the continued support of our dedicated donors and partners.
The Sewing Class, a new initiative, continues to thrive, offering free training in clothing design and tailoring skills to community women. This vital program, fostering economic independence, is generously supported by Michael and Regina from the German Team’s “Protect Kids Kambodcha” project.
Our school environment also saw notable enhancements through a donation from Mr. Steve Holley, President of the Lions Club in Australia. He provided a new solar light and five additional lamps, significantly boosting night-time visibility and security. Mr. Holley’s commitment to our well-being extended to supplying office supplies for teachers, lipsticks for female staff and community ladies, and a stool for haircuts.
Infrastructure Enhancements
Crucial infrastructure improvements have vastly upgraded our learning spaces. The severely dilapidated and leaking roofs of both the IT and Sewing Classrooms underwent comprehensive replacement with new zinc at a cost of 392.75 USD. Similarly, the main classroom, which suffered extensive roof damage from weather and fallen tree branches, underwent a complete renovation. This critical project, fully funded by Mr. Doug Frewer at a cost of 800 USD for materials and 150 USD for the master constructor, ensures students can now learn without disruption, even during heavy rains.
In a first for the school, a new playground has been installed for our younger children. This impressive upgrade, fully covered by Protect Kids Kambodcha with an investment of 930 USD, provides a much-anticipated recreational space, visibly increasing the children’s enjoyment during recess.
Community Welfare and Nutrition Support
Beyond the school’s immediate premises, our commitment to community wellbeing was evident through direct welfare support. Mr. Doug Frewer and Mr. Steve Holley visited a poor family, donating 50kg of rice, various vegetables, and cash to assist the family’s medication or food needs.
A significant special nutrition donation of $1,000 USD from Julie and Friends in Australia was used to assist 20 impoverished families in Siem Reap province. During the event, Mr. Doug Frewer, who facilitated the donation, conveyed greetings from Australia, expressing gratitude to parents and caregivers for prioritizing their children’s education despite challenging circumstances. The profound appreciation from the recipient families underscored the vital impact of this support during a period of serious economic hardship
Case Study: The Transformative Power of Scholarships
Scholarships have a profound impact on students’ lives, and we’re inspired to share the story of a scholarship recipient whose journey was truly transformed by our support.
This student attended CBE from 2017 to 2019. Her early life was marked by significant adversity, including severe family economic hardship leading to deep sadness, depression, and thoughts of dropping out of school. Her mental health suffered, leaving her feeling lost and without hope for the future.
A turning point arrived when a friend introduced her to CBE School. There, she found a trustworthy teacher with whom she felt safe enough to share her struggles. Understanding the student’s difficult circumstances, her CBE teacher took immediate action, meeting with her family and committing to finding a sponsor for her studies. This promise became a reality, and the student received consistent support from 2018 until graduating high school in October 2024. After graduating, the student moved to Phnom Penh to embark on new educational challenges at university.
Here is the student’s personal account of her time at CBE Christine School:
“My time at CBE was a turning point that shaped who I am today. When I first arrived at 13, unsure of myself, everything changed. The school felt like home, filled with warmth and care. Our teachers poured their hearts into every lesson, making us feel supported, understood, and valued. I’ll always remember how they believed in me, even when I doubted myself.
My favourite teacher wasn’t just an educator; she was a mentor and guide who deeply cared. Her kindness and patience were profound. No matter how difficult a lesson seemed, she had an incredible way of making everything clear, always believing in our potential.
The friendships I made at CBE were forged through shared experiences, laughter, and tough moments. We leaned on each other, learned together, and grew in ways that have stayed with me.
CBE was more than a place of learning; it was where I discovered who I was. I felt safe to be vulnerable, ask questions, and dream big. It gave me the courage to face challenges, knowing I had the strength to overcome them. The impact of my time there runs deep, and I carry the lessons, memories, and love from CBE wherever I go.
I’m forever grateful for my journey at CBE Christine School. It was a time filled with growth, connection, and an outpouring of kindness I’ll never forget.”
In a testament to the lasting impact of her education and the spirit of giving instilled at CBE, the student recently opened an English Class for young children in her village. While she has delegated its management to her older brother as she moved to Phnom Penh for university, this initiative beautifully demonstrates the ripple effect of education and empowerment fostered by CBE Christine School.
BUSH SCHOOL CAMBODIA 