Cambodian School Breakfast
Every weekday Ms. Dam Ma (42) wakes up at 4:00AM, heading off to the only school in her village. Yet the thatched kitchen is her place not the classroom. At the beginning of this school year, World Food Program (WFP) started the breakfast program at the school and she got the job as the school’s breakfast cook. To feed about 100 students, she normally consumes about 10 kg of rice, 5 kg of bean. For the dish, it has been always the same, canned fish broth. But if you ask the children how the food is, they would tell you how much they love it. Since now the school has planted water spinach, the children will be able to have some veggie added to their broth someday soon.
In return to her work, Ms. Ma receives 15kg of rice and 3 cans of canned fish monthly; but it is not what brought her to the job. Three out of her seven children are studying in the school. She is very happy that her children now can come to the school without empty stomachs. And this makes her proud to be a part of the program.
The WFP’s breakfast program has been proved a success. It has brought many children, especially of poor families, to schools. However, if I am not wrong, WFP neither has plan nor is not able to implement the project nationwide. Usually, they will stop the project after a few years and move to another schools. Sadly the enrollment rate would drop after the termination of the project. A WFP staffer used to tell me that WFP wants to deliver the message the government that if the breakfast provided, children would come to schools.
Children holding their bowls and spoons waited for breakfast to be served. When I arrived at the school at 5:45, there were already some children came to school.
Ms. Ma serving breakfast to children. Of course, there is no queue.
Children enjoying their breakfast. Probably it is their best meal of the day.
Sharing the bowl. For those who do not own a bowl, what you need is a spoon and friend.
Looks like they were devouring in the forest. For sure, you cannot find fresher atmosphere for your breakfast anywhere here.
June 3, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I like the 4th picture.. full of happiness..
June 4, 2009 at 1:16 am
It’s really touches my feeling as I used to be a poor boy since I had studied 1st class until got a job!
It’s very nice to see your new updated photo bro!
June 4, 2009 at 3:20 am
The breakfast program does really help attract Cambodian children to go to schools.
June 4, 2009 at 6:44 am
Why the school food was delicious? Now I can’t have that experience again. It is a touching story here.
June 4, 2009 at 9:07 am
Very interesting and impressive, Bang!
June 4, 2009 at 10:34 am
Good job my friend, good job keep it coming I hope this kind of message could spread far & fast.
June 9, 2009 at 2:55 pm
They seem to really enjoy their breakfast while I am enjoying looking at them
June 17, 2009 at 5:42 am
Nice and interesting pictures!
June 26, 2009 at 9:37 am
I hope the food is delicious. I hope they would get more food. I hope they would continue their study in a higher education. I hope they are happy even in the photo and in a real like even at their home.
July 4, 2009 at 12:29 am
Great photos (esp. 4th), and nice job of WFP and Ms. Dam Ma.
July 8, 2009 at 7:47 am
I felt that so pretty that I translated the message in French and post it on a discussion forum (http://www.khmer-network.com/forum/sujetKN-7220.html).
For sure, if you want to amend (or add) anything, do not hesitate to let me know.
Anyway, someone asked where is located this school. If you could answer, I would be grateful to forward him the response.
From the POU BARANG of someone we both know very well.
July 10, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hi Pou Barang. I am glad that you find the post interesting. It is probably my first post to be translated.
The school is located in Varin district, Siem Reap province, on the way to Anglong Veng.