Our Mission

To provide access to education and support to all children and their communities for better life opportunities

Chumkriel Language School (CLS) highly values unity, mutual respect, awareness, quality, prdie and integrity. We strive to operate to these values within our organisation and the services we offer. CLS is staffed by local Cambodians who highly value the importance of educating their immediate community and setting a positive example. CLS is registererd as an NGO with the Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Cambodia on 23 December 2010.

CLS offers three programs:
  • Chumkriel Language School (CLS) educates over 300 students in English Language.
  • Chumkriel Language School has a Scholarship Program which offers 40 students free English classes at CLS and support to help them to attend State School.
  • Chumkriel Learning Centre (CLC) provides the local community free access to health information, educational opportunities and creative learning.
By fostering life skills, professional skills, teaching English language and providing support and encouragement to families, Chumkriel Language School aims to create the belief that education and self improvement will allow the community to gain education and employment opportunities in the future.

Our programs are entirely dependent on donations. CLS does not receive any funding from the Cambodian government or NGOs working in the area. We urgently need more donations so that our Community Programs can continue.
 
History

The Chumkriel Language School (CLS) began as a dream of the Director Mr Nget, Sokonthy (Mr Thy). After growing up in a remote village in Cambodia and having very little access to education, with no English classes at all, Thy discovered and still believes that many education and employment opportunities are missed in Cambodia due to the lack of education.

When Mr Thy moved to Kampot to pursue a teaching career, he immediately noticed a difference in the quality of education between the rural schools and the city schools. The Chumkriel Community was chosen as there wasn't an English school or English classes available in the area. If the children in the community were not given access to additional education, their future and job prospects would be very limited.

Mr Thy’s idea and vision was, and still is simple: If children have access to quality education, they will have more opportunities for their future. Helping people to help themselves is key to Mr Thy's philosophy.

The Chumkriel Language School (CLS) opened in February 2005. On the first day, Mr Thy sat in a classroom with one desk, a few chairs and expected 5 students. 100 students arrived ready to learn. Today the school has grown to over 300 students and enrollment is constantly increasing.

The dream of extending education for the Chumkriel Community expanded in 2008 when CLS opened the Chumkriel Learning Centre (CLC). Due to unpredictable State School schedules many young students were observed in the area with nothing to do. Concerns were raised about the lack of a safe place to access education and creative learning activities. The Learning Centre was created and access to health information and education is now being extended to the community.

Mr Thy inspires his staff, local community members and volunteers alike with his dedication and commitment.

The Vision is still very simple. By giving the people in Chumkriel Community access to information and education, they can help themselves create opportunities and better their own lives together as a community.
 
Future

The immediate aim of CLS is to develop our organisation to continue to offer quality education to the community.

The organisation currently operates by donation and achievements so far are directly related to the generosity of our past and current supporters.

We are hoping to secure funding, to allow us to extend the timeframe of our projects, train and develop our staff, and operate with improved facilities and resources.

CLS will continue its mission to provide access to education and support to all children and their communities for better life opportunities.

A current urgent need is the provision of a larger building for the Learning Centre. The success of the programs makes additional space essential. The present building does not have a long life left and the programs need a secure space to accomodate the growing number of students who come to the existing Centre.