This week during orientation we visited one of the VDP (Village Development Program) Catch-Up schools in Prek Pneu, just outside of Phnom Penh.
Asian Hope has several catch up schools which were created to help low income, low performing students in Cambodia. The public school system in Cambodia is very corrupt and students must pay bribes in order to succeed. The school week consists of half days Monday-Saturday. Students who attend the VDP catch up schools are behind in school and come to these schools in order to catch up to their grade level standards. They are also taught a bible class everyday.
The school in Prek Pneu helps the local fishing community which is shown in the pictures above. This community has a ton of kids, and many are far behind in school. Our VDP is helping get these kids back on track academically and provides them a safe place to learn.
***The picture above of the clothing pinned to the wall:
The vast majority of people in this village are buddhist/animist, so they are constantly worried about evil spirits. Many homes have clothes hanging up on the outside wall to scare away demons and evil spirits at night.