Background

2005 In February 2005, the Volunteer Development Poverty Children School (VDPCS) was established by two Buddhist monks, Rathana Nn and Togh Main, who wanted to give some of Siem Reap's poorest children a future that would not depend on begging. With occasional donations and the help of some local and foreign volunteers, they struggled but managed to teach over a hundred children and teenagers in 2 simple, thatch classrooms for about a year. 2006 In spring 2006, enough funds had been raised to build a very basic school with 3 classrooms and student numbers jumped, reflecting the urgent desire for education in Cambodia . Rathana and Togh worked tirelessly with the help of local and foreign volunteers to provide free classes to their students and to cover the increasing monthly expenses.

Mission

1. Enhance and develop general educational levels of underprivileged children with a focus on: Improving students' language skills via focused language tuition in predominantly but not exclusively English Addressing the environmental and health issues effecting children and young people (HIV/AIDS awareness, general hygiene, drug abuse, child trafficking, pollution, climate change, global warming, environmental sustainability ) Giving children life skills and philosophy to help them deal with daily life (moral, spiritual and Buddhist education) Supporting and sponsoring children interested in higher education 2. Teach the students to become responsible for their own lives, actions and to make decisions for positive change. 3. Support the staff dedicated to this school via teacher training and financial incentives. 4. Give foreigners the chance to contribute to development via volunteering. 5. Promote Cambodian ownership and sustainability of the school.

Vision

Through free education, create a brighter future in which the new generation of society's poorest have the opportunity to realise their dreams and escape the cycle of poverty in which they find themselves.