Taipei Medical University Flyoung International Service Team – Summer Service: Sharing Health and Life Education 🌱

Phnom Penh:

On August 15, the Flyoung International Service Team from Taipei Medical University visited CTEP’s Siem Reap headquarters to conduct a health education training session for teachers from rural areas.

This session covered health education topics such as cancer prevention and nutrition, while also introducing practical financial literacy to address real-life needs in rural communities.

🎗️ Understanding Cancer and Learning How to Prevent It

The session introduced common types of cancer in Cambodia, including liver, lung, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. Teachers also learned about the causes and risk factors of cancer, common warning signs, early screening, treatment and care, as well as practical ways to reduce cancer risks in daily life.

In many cases, the first step in health education is not necessarily to do more, but to first understand what we should pay attention to and what can be prevented through early action.

🥗 Health Also Starts with What We Eat Every Day

In addition to cancer education, the Flyoung Team introduced teachers to essential nutrients found in our daily diet, including Vitamins A, B1, B9 (Folate), B12, and C, as well as iron, calcium, and salt.

Through the session, teachers gained a better understanding of the effects of nutritional deficiencies and how to maintain a more balanced diet in their daily lives.

For many rural families, better health does not always have to begin with complicated changes. Understanding what we eat and making better choices in our daily diet can already be an important first step.

💰 From Health Education to Financial Management

The session also introduced another highly practical topic — Financial Literacy.

Teachers learned how to manage basic income and expenses, develop saving habits, and understand important factors to consider when applying for loans or using microfinance services, including interest rates, fees, repayment periods, and other terms.

More importantly, they learned how to calculate interest and the actual cost of a loan, so they can better understand their financial responsibilities before borrowing money.

For families in rural communities, knowing how to manage personal finances is also an important way to protect themselves and their families.

🙏 Thank you to the Flyoung Team for continuing to visit rural communities in Cambodia and share practical knowledge and experiences with local teachers.

The impact of education does not always happen at the moment a class ends. It starts with one person, and gradually reaches many more. 💙🌱

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🎉 CTEP Khmer New Year Celebration 2026 🎉

Phnom Penh:

To celebrate the Khmer New Year and express our gratitude for our teachers’ hard work over the past year, CTEP hosted a New Year party at our Siem Reap office. Teachers were also invited to bring their families, making the celebration even more joyful and meaningful.

The event was filled with laughter and festive energy. Everyone enjoyed delicious food, played traditional Khmer games, sang, and danced—truly capturing the spirit of the Khmer New Year.

On this special occasion, we also recognized two outstanding educators:

🏆 Outstanding Teacher of the Year — Chum Sokhom (Tasne Learning Center)

🏆 Outstanding Coding Teacher of the Year — Heng Samrach (ROKA Learning Center)

in appreciation of their dedication and contributions to education.

We wish all teachers and students in rural communities a joyful and peaceful New Year. As we begin a new chapter, we look forward to continuing our journey together—creating more opportunities for children to learn and grow.

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🌱 A Lasting Care That Helps Children Grow Healthier

Phnom Penh:

Last year, Ching Ma spent four weeks in Cambodia, spending time with the children, reading and drawing with them, and sharing her knowledge and experience.

Even after her time of service ended, she never forgot about these children.

She has continued to stay in touch with CTEP teachers and students, asking about their studies and also checking on how they have been doing.

During her time at the SPS Learning Center last year, she noticed that several children were physically smaller and weaker than others. After learning more about their situation, she decided to support five of these children with nutritious food for six months, including milk, eggs, peanut butter, and bread, to help supplement their daily nutrition. 🥛🥚🥜🍞

Since July 5, the CTEP teachers have provided the children with these nutritious foods twice.

The children are always very happy to receive them. For children in rural communities, milk and peanut butter are foods they rarely have the opportunity to enjoy. This support is not only about providing nutritious food, but also about helping the children feel that someone truly cares about them.

Thank you, Ching Ma, for continuing to think of and care about the children in Cambodia, even from afar.

Education takes time, and so does a child’s growth. Along the way, having someone who is willing to continue caring for and supporting them is something truly precious. 🌱💙

Thank you for always being there. 🙏❤️

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【CTEP Partners with DVO to Bring STEM Education to High Schools】

Phnom Penh:

For many years, CTEP has been implementing education programs in Cambodia and maintaining a strong partnership with DVO, the Department of Vocational Orientation under Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).

In 2026, CTEP is once again partnering with DVO to bring STEM and technology education to high schools across Cambodia, giving more students the opportunity to develop practical digital and technology skills. 💻🤖

This year’s STEM education project will be implemented in 15 high schools across 9 provinces, including Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Koh Kong, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Prey Veng.

The program focuses on hands-on learning, with courses covering Coding, Robotics, Web Development, System Development, and Computer Repair. In addition to helping students develop technology skills, the program also supports teachers in gaining experience in technology education.

In July, the project officially launched at Chea Sim Tbeng Meanchey General and Technical High School in Preah Vihear Province and Angkor High School in Siem Reap. CTEP instructors travel to schools to conduct classes, while some students also attend practical training at CTEP’s learning center.

The remaining participating schools will gradually begin their training programs in the coming weeks. Through its continued partnership with DVO, CTEP hopes to bring technology education to more Cambodian high school students, giving them opportunities to explore technology, learn through hands-on practice, and build skills for their future studies and careers.

🌱 Starting with education, we are helping Cambodia’s young people build the technology skills they need for the future.

#CTEP #DVO #STEMEducation #Cambodia #TechnologyEducation #DigitalSkills

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From a Red Dirt Road to a Dream in Technology: Kimhong’s Journey of Growth

Phnom Penh:

Heng Kimhong is a 13-year-old Grade 7 student at Ta Yaek Secondary School. Every day, he rides his bicycle along the red dirt roads of his village to school. Although growing up has not been easy, Kimhong has never given up on learning. He believes that education can create a different future for both himself and his family.

Kimhong’s parents separated when he was three years old, and he and his older brother have been raised by their elderly grandmother ever since. Now 78 years old, his grandmother continues to care for the family while they also struggle with debts left behind by his parents. After his mother left their hometown to work in another province, she gradually lost contact with the family. Today, the household relies mainly on the income of Kimhong’s 22-year-old brother, who works in construction.

Because of the family’s financial difficulties, Kimhong receives around USD 12.50 per month in educational assistance through a government support program for low-income families. However, this is not enough to cover all of his educational needs. He cannot afford extra classes, his school uniform has become worn, and he often lacks basic learning supplies.

Living near the CTEP Ta Yaek Learning Center gave Kimhong the opportunity to join CTEP’s rural education program, where he can attend English and computer classes free of charge. Through these classes, he developed a strong interest in computers and information technology. No matter how busy his daily life becomes, he continues to attend both English and computer classes and has now completed four terms of study.

To his teachers, Kimhong is not only hardworking but also always willing to help others. He often assists his teachers by explaining lessons to classmates and helping check assignments. Whenever he has free time after public school, he returns to the learning center to ask questions, practice coding, learn graphic design, and explore more about the world of technology.

His dream is clear — to become an IT professional.

In the future, Kimhong hopes to develop software and applications that can help people in his community and make their daily lives easier.

His hard work is already beginning to pay off. This term, Kimhong ranked third in his class. To recognize his dedication and achievement, CTEP presented him with a new school uniform, backpack, notebooks, and other learning supplies during the term-closing ceremony. Receiving these gifts brought him great joy and gave him even more motivation to continue working toward his goals.

Kimhong’s determination goes far beyond the classroom.

Every morning before school, he wakes up early to help his grandmother chop firewood, boil water, fetch water, clean the house, and cook rice. After returning home from school, he first helps with household chores before sitting down to study. Many nights, he continues studying late, even though he knows he must wake up early again the next morning.

He studies hard not only for himself.

Kimhong hopes that one day he will be able to improve his family’s life, so that his brother no longer has to endure the hardship of construction work and his grandmother, who has cared for him throughout his childhood, can enjoy a more peaceful and comfortable life in her later years. He also continues to hope that one day he will be reunited with his mother.

Despite the challenges he has faced growing up, Kimhong has never stopped looking toward the future. To him, every new skill and every lesson he learns is another step toward his dream.

Kimhong would also like to express his heartfelt gratitude to CTEP and everyone who supports rural education. Through this support, he has received more than just free English and computer classes. He has also had the opportunity to learn coding and digital skills, opening his eyes to possibilities for his future that he might never have imagined before.

The red dirt road he travels every day may be long, but each time Kimhong walks into the classroom, he takes another step closer to his dream in technology.

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📚 One Book Can Open a Child's World

Phnom Penh:

Every afternoon, beneath the large tree at CTEP's SPS Learning Center, a group of children can be found quietly reading storybooks together.

Before their English and Computer classes begin, reading has become part of their daily routine. For many children in rural communities, a book is more than just a story—it is a window to the world, inspiring their imagination, building their confidence, and helping them discover new possibilities for the future.

This beautiful reading journey began with Mrs. Ching Ma.

Last year, she spent four weeks volunteering at SPS Learning Center in Cambodia, leading art activities and reading sessions with the children. She encouraged them to freely choose the books that interested them most, and soon discovered that, given the opportunity, their enthusiasm for reading far exceeded expectations.

Before returning home, Mrs. Ma donated around 500 books and established a small library at SPS Learning Center. She hoped the children could not only enjoy reading at the center but also take their favorite books home, allowing the joy of reading to continue beyond the classroom.

Knowing that many children in rural communities have very few books at home, she never required them to return the books. Instead, she hoped that a beloved book could stay with each child, making reading a natural part of everyday family life.

Seeing how much the children had grown to love reading, Mrs. Ma decided to donate another 520 books this year, expanding this reading initiative to four more CTEP Learning Centers: Braval, TY, Tasne, and PT. SPS Learning Center received an additional 100 books, while each of the other four centers received 105 books.

The new collection includes storybooks, general knowledge books, history books, educational books, and personal development books, giving children the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects based on their interests.

Reading offers children far more than knowledge. It nurtures imagination, strengthens critical thinking, builds confidence, and empowers them to believe they can create a brighter future.

We sincerely thank Mrs. Ching Ma for her unwavering support of education in rural Cambodia. Because of her generosity and companionship, more children are discovering the joy of reading and believing that they can go further than they ever imagined. ❤️📚

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【Making Computer Classes More Fun!】

Phnom Penh:

At CTEP Rural Learning Centers, computer classes are about more than just learning how to use a computer. We strive to create a fun and engaging learning environment where students can build digital skills and confidence.

To make lessons more interactive, our teachers incorporate group activities, hands-on practice, and educational games into the classroom. One of the tools we use is Kahoot!, a game-based learning platform that transforms lesson reviews into exciting knowledge challenges. As students answer questions and cheer each other on, they reinforce what they have learned while enjoying the learning process.

Through these interactive teaching methods, students become more engaged in class while developing problem-solving, teamwork, and digital skills at their own pace.

At CTEP, we believe that education is not only about sharing knowledge, but also about inspiring a love of learning and preparing students for a technology-driven future.

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A Shoulder Strong Enough to Carry Responsibility at Just 11 Years Old

Phnom Penh:

At 11 years old, most children spend their free time playing and enjoying their childhood. But for Panha, she often thinks about how she can help ease her family's burden.

Panha lives with her single mother, her elderly grandmother, and her younger sister. Her mother works as a day laborer, taking whatever jobs she can find to support the family. Growing up in these circumstances, Panha learned from an early age that every dollar her family earns comes with hard work.

After school, she helps at a nearby neighborhood shop with simple tasks to earn a little pocket money. She also rides her bicycle to school every day and brings lunch from home, hoping to save her family a little money whenever she can. Though these may seem like small choices, they reflect a sense of responsibility and maturity far beyond her years.

Yet despite these responsibilities, Panha has never given up on learning.

She believes that education is the key to a better future. Every afternoon, she comes to CTEP's DR Learning Center to study English, making the most of every opportunity to learn. She knows that studying hard today is not only for herself, but also a way to create a better future for her family.

To her teachers, Panha is a polite, kind-hearted, and hardworking student. She completes every assignment with care, is always willing to help her classmates, and is rarely seen without a warm smile on her face.

Panha dreams of becoming an English teacher one day.

She believes that education is more than learning a language—it opens doors to new opportunities and brings hope for a brighter future. One day, she hopes to share what she has learned with other children, passing on the same opportunity that is helping shape her own life today.

At CTEP, we believe every child has unlimited potential. When children are willing to work hard and caring people choose to stand beside them, education becomes a powerful force that can change lives.

Thank you to every supporter for walking alongside our students and helping them take one step closer to a brighter future.

#CTEP #RuralEducation #EducationChangesLives #Cambodia #DreamBig

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A Mother's Support from Afar Inspires Her Daughter to Keep Moving Forward

Phnom Penh:

Every day after school, 10-year-old Philai rides her bicycle to attend classes at CTEP's Thnal Rural Learning Center.

Philai's parents work far from home. Her father works on a cashew plantation, while her mother works in a factory in another province. Since she was young, Philai has lived with her grandparents and younger brothers. Although the family spends much of their time apart, her mother has never stopped being involved in her daughter's education.

During breaks from work, she regularly calls and sends Facebook messages to check on her family and follow up on Philai's studies.

The question she asks most often is not, “What score did you get?” but rather, “What did you learn today?”

She constantly encourages her daughter to keep learning and often reminds her:

"Don't worry about learning everything at once. Improve a little each day, and over time you will see how much you have grown."

Having experienced the challenges of factory work herself, Philai's mother understands the value of education. She hopes that through learning and developing practical skills, her daughter will have more opportunities and choices in the future.

Philai has carried these words with her ever since.

She understands the sacrifices her parents make by working far from home and knows how much her mother hopes for her future. Because of this, she treasures every opportunity to learn. She attends class faithfully, completes her assignments, and strives to do her best as a way of honoring her mother's efforts.

In many rural communities, parents must leave home to earn a living and support their families. Yet what shapes a child's future is not only financial support, but also the encouragement, guidance, and belief that education can open new doors.

As Philai pedals her bicycle to the learning center each day, she remembers her mother's simple advice:

"Improve a little each day."

And that encouragement from afar continues to inspire her to learn, grow, and move forward.

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【A Chance Reunion with an Outstanding CTEP Graduate】

Phnom Penh:

Last month, during an event outside the province, we met a young and confident woman representing her company. She spoke fluent English, carried herself professionally, and was clearly a valued member of her team.

As we chatted, we discovered that she had been one of the students who attended computer classes at CTEP’s Thnal Rural Learning Center more than ten years ago.

Coming from a farming family in rural Siem Reap, she first encountered a computer at the CTEP Thnal Learning Center while she was in junior high school. There, she learned basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While these opportunities may seem ordinary to many urban students, for her they opened a window to a much bigger world.

Today, she has successfully completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees and is building a promising career in Phnom Penh.

She shared with us:

"CTEP gave me the opportunity to learn computer skills free of charge. It gave me greater confidence in my studies and helped me keep pace with other students."

For us, the true value of education is not only the knowledge gained in the classroom, but also seeing young people years later with the ability to choose their own future.

We would like to sincerely thank all of CTEP’s partners and supporters. Because of your generosity, children in rural communities have access to educational resources, opportunities to develop valuable skills, and a pathway toward a brighter future. 💙

#CTEP #RuralEducation #EducationChangesLives #FromLearningCenterToCareer

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🌟 CTEP Outstanding Teacher Recognition 2026

Phnom Penh:

On the journey of education, teachers are not only providers of knowledge, but also important guides who help children build confidence and discover their future.

For many years, CTEP has believed that a dedicated teacher can create a lasting impact on a child’s life. Therefore, every year, we recognize outstanding teachers for their passion, commitment, and positive influence in education, while also expressing our appreciation for their long-term dedication to rural communities.

🏆 In 2026, CTEP selected two Outstanding Teachers:

👨‍🏫 Outstanding English Teacher — Mr. Chum Sokhom

💻 Outstanding Computer & Coding Teacher — Mr. Heng Samrach

Below are the inspiring stories of these two teachers:

📘 Building Students’ Confidence Through Encouragement — English Teacher Chum Sokhom

Mr. Chum Sokhom, a teacher at the Tane Rural Learning Center, has more than 10 years of teaching experience. Throughout the years, he has continuously supported his students with patience, passion, and responsibility.

To Mr. Sokhom, English is not only a school subject, but also an important skill that can help children expand their future opportunities. In his classes, he places great importance on student participation and communication through group activities, games, and daily-life conversations, creating a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.

🗣️ Many students who were once shy and afraid to speak English have gradually become more confident because of his constant encouragement and support.

Beyond classroom teaching, Mr. Sokhom also pays close attention to each student’s learning progress. When students face difficulties, he is always willing to provide additional support and encourage them not to fear mistakes, but to keep trying and improving.

✨ His patience and dedication have not only improved students’ English abilities, but also helped many children believe that “they are capable of achieving more than they thought.”

💻 Inspiring Students to Love Coding — Computer & Coding Teacher Heng Samrach

Mr. Heng Samrach, a teacher at the Roka Rural Learning Center, is a well-loved Computer & Coding teacher among students. With three years of teaching experience, he is skilled at explaining difficult coding concepts in simple and engaging ways.

🧩 In his classes, he strongly emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to understand coding logic through practice and real activities rather than only listening to lectures.

Even when unexpected situations occur in class, such as technical equipment failures, he is always able to adapt quickly. During one lesson, when the projector suddenly stopped working, Mr. Samrach immediately switched to teaching on the whiteboard and carefully explained each step so students could continue learning without interruption.

🔧 This strong sense of responsibility and dedication has deeply influenced his students.

Mr. Samrach consistently encourages students to try, not fear failure, and continue learning from mistakes. Whenever students struggle, he willingly spends extra time guiding them until they fully understand the lesson.

🏅 Under his guidance, many students have developed a strong interest in technology and coding. One of his students even won first place in the 2025 CTEP Golden Brain Competition, reflecting the results of both the teacher’s dedication and the students’ hard work.

🌟 A Recognition and an Encouragement

In addition to recognizing these outstanding teachers, CTEP would also like to thank every teacher who continues to serve faithfully in the field of education.

We believe that truly meaningful education comes from teachers who are willing to sincerely care for and accompany their students throughout their learning journey.

❤️ Every dedicated teacher has the power to change a child’s life and bring greater hope and opportunities to rural communities.

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🎉 KDMR Classroom 1st-Term Closing Ceremony 🎉

Phnom Penh:

After six months of learning and growth, the KDMR Classroom in Svay Rieng Province completed its first-term program in May and held its first closing ceremony on May 17. The event celebrated students’ achievements and thanked the local community for their continued support.

The KDMR Classroom is sponsored by KDMR Sports Co., Ltd. and operated by CTEP at Chheu Teal Secondary School. Due to the lack of nearby English and computer education resources, many children previously had limited learning opportunities. Through this program, we hope to bring more educational opportunities and positive change to local students.

As this was the classroom’s first term, there were also many challenges. Some students needed to attend extra public school classes, some families still lacked understanding of the importance of education, and some adult students had to balance work and family responsibilities, making regular attendance difficult.

These experiences helped us better understand the real needs of local students. Moving forward, we will continue improving class arrangements and strengthening communication with students and parents to support more stable learning and growth.

During this term, the English and Computer classes enrolled 319 students, with 193 students successfully completing the courses and receiving certificates, resulting in an overall completion rate of 61%.

To encourage students for their hard work and progress, the closing ceremony included student recognition, learning presentations, fun games, and performances, creating a joyful and memorable atmosphere for everyone.

KDMR Sports Co., Ltd. also presented awards to two outstanding KDMR staff members in appreciation of their active participation and continued self-improvement outside of work.

The event brought together 111 students, 65 parents, 14 local authorities, 5 KDMR management team members, and the school principal. Seeing students confidently present on stage and the genuine smiles from both students and parents reminded us once again of the positive impact education can bring to a community.

CTEP sincerely thanks KDMR, local authorities, parents, donors, teachers, and all supporters for making this program possible and helping provide more educational opportunities for rural students.

Together, we will continue creating hope and opportunities through education for rural communities. 💙📚

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🌱 Starting with Health Education, Helping Children and Families Build Healthier Lives

Phnom Penh:

From August 1 to 5, a volunteer team from National Defense Medical University (NDMU) in Taiwan came to Cambodia to serve CTEP, bringing health education and practical learning experiences to CTEP teachers, students, and families in rural communities. 💙

👩‍🏫 Starting with Teachers, Taking Knowledge Further

On August 1, the volunteer team first conducted a full-day training session for CTEP teachers at the CTEP headquarters. The training covered topics such as nutrition and chronic diseases, as well as the use of AI in education. Teachers had hands-on practice using AI to create lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, classroom activities, and teaching materials.

It was more than just a lecture. Through hands-on practice, teachers not only learned about AI, but also gained a better understanding of how to apply these tools in their own classrooms.

📚 Bringing Health Education to Roka Learning Center

From August 3 to 5, the volunteer team spent three days at CTEP’s Roka Learning Center, learning and interacting with students.

The lessons covered a range of topics, including the three main functions of teeth, understanding emotions, the five essential nutrients, puberty, the eyes, dengue fever, diabetes, and body temperature. Each topic was connected as much as possible to the students’ everyday lives.

Through engaging activities and teaching methods, health topics that might otherwise seem unfamiliar became knowledge that students could understand, discuss, and even take home to share with their families.

🏠 Beyond the Classroom, Into the Home

The volunteer team also visited families in rural communities, conducting basic health checks such as measuring blood pressure, weight, and height, while talking with families about their daily diets and lifestyle habits.

From reducing salt, sugar, and oil, to eating more vegetables, exercising regularly, getting routine health check-ups, and removing stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding areas—these may seem like simple reminders, but they are small changes that can begin in everyday life.

The impact of education does not always happen inside the classroom.

What one teacher learns can benefit an entire class. What one child learns about healthy habits can also be brought home to the family. And when teachers, children, and families learn together, that impact can continue to reach the wider community. 💙

🙏 Thank you to the NDMU student volunteer team from Taiwan for bringing your knowledge, passion, and positive energy to Cambodia.

Thank you for bringing health education into both our classrooms and our families. 🌏💙

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🌅 On the Road to Learning at 6:00 Every Morning

Phnom Penh:

Every morning at 6:00 AM, while many children are still asleep, Netra is already riding his bicycle to the learning center.

And his first class does not begin for another two hours.

At the Braval Rural Learning Center, this ten-year-old boy is always one of the first students to arrive.

👨‍👩‍👦 His Parents' Support Is the Beginning of His Journey

Netra is the eldest child in his family. His parents earn a living by growing rice and digging potatoes. Although their income is limited, they firmly believe that education can change a child's future and are willing to invest in their children's learning opportunities.

Seeing his parents work tirelessly every day, Netra has turned their love and sacrifice into motivation to study hard.

📚 Going the Extra Mile Every Day

Each morning, Netra arrives at the learning center two hours before class begins. He spends that time reviewing lessons and reading books to prepare himself for the day.

From 8:00 to 9:00 AM, he attends English class. Under the guidance of his teacher, he actively participates in every lesson and consistently ranks first in his class.

Immediately afterward, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, he joins the computer class. Once again, his dedication and ability to learn quickly have helped him achieve the top ranking in the class.

💪 His Effort Extends Beyond the Classroom

Netra's hard work does not stop when classes end.

While his parents are still working in the fields, he helps care for his younger sister and assists with household chores. Watching how hard his parents work each day has taught him to appreciate their sacrifices from a very young age.

His parents give him 1,000 Riels each day for personal expenses, but he carefully saves half of it. He has already set a goal for himself: within three years, he hopes to buy a motorbike to help ease his parents' transportation burden.

✨ A Dream with Purpose

When asked about his future, Netra's answer is clear and confident:

He dreams of becoming an English teacher.

He believes that by learning English, computer skills, and Chinese, he can not only build a better future for himself, but also support his parents and help create opportunities for other children one day.

❤️ From his commitment to arriving at the learning center at 6:00 every morning, to his outstanding academic performance and strong sense of responsibility toward his family, Netra reminds us that:

When a child is willing to work hard, a family is willing to support them, and society is willing to provide opportunities, meaningful change can happen.

🙏 Thank you to every supporter of rural education. Because of your encouragement and generosity, children like Netra are taking steady steps toward their dreams.

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❤️A Story of Perseverance and Dreams: Votey

Phnom Penh:

In a small village on the outskirts of town lives a 7-year-old girl named Votey.

She is currently in Grade 2.

Like many children her age, she loves learning and enjoys smiling.

But her path growing up has been more challenging than that of many other children.

Votey comes from a family with limited financial resources.

Her father works at a construction site, and her mother wakes up early every morning to sell vegetables at the local market to support the family.

Every morning at 5 a.m., while many children are still asleep, Votey is already awake helping her mother prepare vegetables for the market. After finishing these tasks, she hurries to her public school.

After school, instead of having much time to play, she helps with household chores before completing her homework. Even when she is already very tired at night, she still sits under a dim light, carefully reading through her schoolbooks page by page.

One day, a teacher at her public school shared some news with the class:

CTEP offers free English classes.

When Votey heard this, her eyes lit up.

Although the learning center was some distance from her home and her family did not own a bicycle, she did not let these difficulties stop her.

From that day on, after helping her mother at the market, Votey would walk to the CTEP learning center to attend English classes.

Sometimes heavy rain would make the roads muddy and difficult to walk, and her clothes would often be soaked. Yet she continued moving forward step by step toward the classroom.

When she first entered the English classroom, Votey was shy and quietly sat at the back of the class.

At that time, her English was still limited, but she listened carefully, took notes diligently, and gathered the courage to ask questions whenever she did not understand something.

At home, she practiced new vocabulary again and again until she could remember it.

After a few months, her teachers noticed something remarkable.

The quiet girl who once sat in the back of the classroom had become one of the fastest-improving students in the class.

One day, a teacher gave her several notebooks and learning materials as encouragement.

When Votey received the gift, her eyes slowly filled with tears.

In that moment, what she felt was not just gratitude for the gift, but also the warmth of being seen and supported.

Now, Votey has a small dream.

One day, she hopes to become a teacher herself, helping children from families like hers who face financial difficulties.

Because she believes that education can open the door to a bigger world.

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🎉 2025 Smart Brain Competition Successfully Concluded! 🎉

Phnom Penh:

The annual Smart Brain Competition has come to a successful close — thanks to everyone’s hard work and participation!

This year, the event brought together 10 CTEP-managed centers and 7 partner centers,

with a total of 38 contestants and more than 150 participants, including students, parents, partners, and local government representatives.

Through this friendly yet exciting competition, we witnessed the amazing talents and learning spirit of students from different regions! 🌟

________________________________________

🧠 Competition Categories

• English

• Computer

• Programming

• Special Event: Robot Car Race

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🏅 Winners List

🥇 English

1st Place: PT | 2nd Place: KPS | 3rd Place: Sunshine

🥇 Computer

1st Place: SPS | 2nd Place: Braval | 3rd Place: DR

🥇 Programming

1st Place: Roka | 2nd Place: CPV | 3rd Place: Bavet

🥇 Robot Car Race

Champion: CPV

*CPV=Chompu Vorn General and Technical High School

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🏆 Congratulations to all the winners!

Your achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of both students and teachers at each center. We are incredibly proud of you! 👏

For those who didn’t win this year — don’t be discouraged!

Keep learning, keep improving, and we believe you’ll shine even brighter next year! 💪📚

________________________________________

A big thank-you to all students, parents, partners, and supporters of CTEP for making this event a great success. ❤️

Together, we’ll continue working hand in hand to create an educational environment that is fun, meaningful, and full of opportunities for every child. 🌈

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Tamkang University Volunteer Team, for Bringing Chinese Lessons!

Phnom Penh:

This summer, CTEP is delighted to welcome a new group of student volunteers – the Tamkang University Volunteer Team.

For many years, Tamkang students have been dedicated to serving in Cambodia, and we are grateful that this time they visited our rural classrooms to bring Chinese language education to local children.

In Cambodia, with the growing presence of foreign investments and factories (especially from China), Chinese-speaking talents are highly valuable yet still scarce. The arrival of the Tamkang volunteers not only gave rural children the chance to be introduced to Chinese but also opened new possibilities for their future.

During their 4-day service, the team offered engaging and interactive lessons, covering tones, songs, pinyin, and daily vocabulary such as numbers, clothing, food, fruits, and places. Through simple conversations and fun activities—including role-play, rock-paper-scissors, and flashcards—they filled the classroom with joy and energy, encouraging even the shyest students to speak up in Chinese.

By the end of the program, the children were able to greet teachers in Chinese and introduce their name, age, and nationality. Beyond learning new words, this experience broadened their horizons, helped them appreciate different cultures, and motivated them to keep learning.

We sincerely thank the Tamkang University Volunteer Team from Taiwan for their dedication, kindness, and love. Their teaching and cultural exchange not only enriched the children’s learning but also built new friendships and unforgettable memories.

We look forward to welcoming them again in the future! ❤️

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FLYoung International Service volunteer team

Phnom Penh:

We are grateful to the TMU FLYoung International Service volunteer team for once again coming to Cambodia to serve.

This visit was particularly challenging—not only did the team have to face common stereotypes about Cambodia, but they also encountered the sudden border dispute. We sincerely thank everyone for overcoming these difficulties to share valuable knowledge with us.

For many years, FLYoung has been serving at CTEP, selecting appropriate health education topics based on the realities of rural Cambodia. This year, they took on the rare and sensitive topics of “Addiction” and “Sex Education”, presenting them in a professional yet easy-to-understand manner, allowing teachers to learn new knowledge in a safe and supportive environment.

Our heartfelt thanks go to every member of FLYoung, many of whom have returned to Cambodia to serve multiple times. Your dedication enables rural children to access accurate health information and gives them a better chance to grow up healthy.

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Nokor Thom High School is actively engaging in weekly STEM-focused coding

Phnom Penh:

Nokor Thom High School is actively engaging in weekly STEM-focused coding sessions, held every Thursday. Remarkably, the initiative sees vibrant participation from female students, who receive training from the Cambodia Working Group for Education—a program supported by the people of Taiwan.

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✨ New Joint Center | CTEP Partners with Nokor Thom High School to Bring Coding Education to Rural Students ✨

Phnom Penh:

In under-resourced rural areas, children share the same desire to learn and transform their futures.

🏫 Nokor Thom High School, located in the Angkor Archaeological Park, has only 4 classes and 164 students due to new high school upgrade. Recently, the new high school get support from the community to stabilize and grow—but funding and equipment challenges remain.

Despite this, the school is committed to expanding opportunities for students and actively seeks support to introduce future-ready education.

🤝 In 2018, CTEP first connected with the school through an education partner and donated sewing machines for vocational classes. During COVID-19, students even worked with CTEP to produce cloth masks for nearby villages—a testament to community spirit and collaboration.

💡 In June 2025, during Cambodia’s National TVET Day, the principal was inspired by CTEP students’ coding projects and proposed a partnership to introduce programming classes at the school.

This initiative supports the Ministry of Education’s ICT integration policy and aims to cultivate:

🔹 Logical thinking & problem-solving

🔹 Creativity & entrepreneurship

🔹 Future readiness for AI, software, robotics & more

To make this vision a reality, CTEP launched the following:

💻 25 laptops and demo teaching materials

👩‍🏫 On-site coding trainer to teach and build teacher capacity

📚 Co-development of advanced, project-based coding curriculum

🚀 A pilot class has already started, and full implementation is set for the next academic term. Many students are coding for the first time and have already built simple interactive projects! Their parents and the local community are highly supportive and eager to contribute further resources.

This classroom is more than just a room with computers—it’s a doorway to the world. 🌏✨

🙏 We thank Nokor Thom High School for its vision, and all our supporters for standing with us in empowering rural youth. With a growing student body, CTEP is committed to sustaining and expanding this work—because this is only the beginning. We are also very grateful to ASUS - Empowering People in Need program, which has enabled the continued promotion of computer education in remote rural areas of Cambodia.

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