Bridges Builds School and Dam in Remote Area
The remote village of Prey Chov in Cambodia’s poorest province, Kompong Speu, has an illiteracy rate that exceeds 80% and a school dropout rate that exceeded 50% last year. With funding from the Singapore-based RICE Fund, Bridges Across Borders hopes to significantly reduce these poor statistics, not only through the physical construction of a brand new school building and teacher accommodation; but through the recruitment of extra teachers and classroom assistants, whom together with the existing teachers will receive training, supervision, and a supplemented salary to ensure a living wage.
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The new academic year began amid much excitement in Prey Chov village as the construction of a new school building and dam re-construction reached completion. After a year of planning, fundraising and construction, Bridges Across Borders has implemented an initiative that will transform the standard of education and supply this drought stricken region with a year-round water supply. The greatly expanded Oda Primary School this year saw a two-fold increase in enrollment, an outstanding result in a village where previously 50% of 6-14 year olds did not attend any schooling. 
With funding from Bridges’ affiliated charity in Ireland, Building Bridges, an old dam has been repaired and a water leveler and reservoir constructed, which will ensure that the upcoming dry season will no longer leave villagers without water. In addition to this, 78 families have been supplied home water filters and training on how to use them, which has already resulted in reports of improved health amongst the villagers. 
This has been a huge achievement, which could not have been accomplished without the kind support of our donors and dedication of our team. The official inauguration of the school and dam is planned for early December.