Room to Read Cambodia

Cambodia is rebuilding its educational system from the ground up after years of upheaval. To aid in this effort, Room to Read Cambodia has led in the field of literacy and girls’ education and works as one of the national government’s primary partners improving Cambodia’s quality of education.

Post-Conflict Development Poses Difficulties

During the Khmer Rogue's brutal regime, more than 1.8 million Cambodians were killed, including nearly all educated Cambodians. By 1978, there were almost no surviving teachers, writers or scientists in the country, and an entire generation of literate role models had been eliminated.

Although the nation has improved its condition and the poverty rate has fallen, 35 percent of Cambodians are still living in poverty. That figure is even higher for the rural population and children and adolescents under 19 years old. The latter group accounts for around 45 percent of those living in poverty, and an additional 21 percent at risk of falling into poverty.

Support Education

Khmer Rouge survivors shed light on the value of literacy

Literacy Work in Cambodia

Room to Read Cambodia was founded in 2002 with a commitment to help the country rebuild its educational system through a partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS). In partnership with the MoEYS, Room to Read’s Literacy Program currently works in government schools in four provinces.

We have found one of the greatest needs to be affordable Khmer-language books for young readers. With that in mind, publishing local language children’s books has been a priority since the early days of our work. We establish child-friendly libraries where primary school children can explore books, read for pleasure, and borrow books to read at home. In 2020, the Minister of Education agreed to form a national library partnership with Room to Read to develop and scale a national primary school library package.

Success in Girls’ Education

We have also had great success with our Girls’ Education Program in Cambodia, which has received international attention. In March 2015, the First Lady of the United States and the First Lady of Cambodia visited one of our Girls’ Education Program sites in Siem Reap where they met with our program participants. Additionally, 2019 was the third year that girls from the program graduated from Grade 12. We are proud to share that our pass rate is 17 percent higher than the national pass rate of 69 percent.