Chumkriel Language School (CLS) began as a dream of the Director of CLS, Nget Sokonthy (everyone calls him Mr Thy – easy to pronounce:  Mr T!).

Thy grew up in a remote village with little access to education. From personal experience he realized that many of life’s opportunities are missed by rural Cambodians due to lack of education.

He moved to Kampot to study and pursue a teaching career where he noticed a difference in quality of education between rural and city schools. Without access to additional education, rural children had poor job prospects.

So in 2005 Mr Thy established an independent school called Chumkriel Language School (CLS) to give rural children that extra education, with an underlying philosophy of helping people to help themselves. The main focus was offering English lessons (that’s why it’s called Language School) at night in a small and dilapidated room, and Thy expected just a handful of enrolments. But after the first week around 100 students started to turn up, keen to learn!

From humble beginnings the school grew rapidly. Today CLS has its own school building, playing field and agriculture garden. It provides both Khmer and English lessons to over 100 primary-aged children during the day, and teaches English to over 500 students at night! The curriculum also includes Mathematics, IT classes, Physical Education, Health & Hygiene/Life skills, Agriculture and Art & Craft.

Mr Thy’s dream is being realized today through the Chumkriel Language School he founded. It is affording children life-changing opportunities not otherwise available to them.

Today CLS still charges no fees at all to the students. CLS is supported and made possible by many private donors making smaller or larger donations.

CLS receives a lot of support from the Australian registered charity/NGO Chumkriel Supporters, and other sponsors such as Rotary Australia.

Chumkriel Supporters has zero overheads and 100% of all donations from any donors go directly to the school.

Please donate and help CLS continue its programs which are vital to a better future for hundreds of disadvantaged children and their families from Chumkriel and neighbouring communities.