Photo of the week: who’s up for some algebra?

When it comes to determination, the residents of a small village in Siem Reap, Cambodia have a thing or two to teach the rest of us.

Snar Sangream is one of the poorest villages in the region and home to just over 1,000 people – half of whom are under the age of 18.

Not so long ago, none of the village’s children went to school for the simple reason that there was none in the province.

“Even though I am average, I felt I am a lucky boy that I have the chance to study as well as the other children in other villages” says Ath.

Recognising the importance of education for the future of their children, the community began to work with a local ActionAid partner and initially set up a school with three teachers and almost two hundred students.

With no support from the government, and little spare cash, the villagers paid the teachers in rice. But struggling already to feed themselves, the villagers didn’t have enough rice to keep the school running.

Not willing to give up, and with the support of ActionAid, the villagers approached the government and demanded that their new school be included in the state education system and receive funding accordingly.

After putting the community through a two year registration process, the government eventually gave in and agreed to provide two teachers to the school. Over 200 students now attend the school at no cost to the community.

Persistence pays.

 Experience Cambodia with ActionAid and embark on a journey of lifetime. Visit http://www.actionaid.org.au/firsthandexperiences/ for more information.