How we do it

We offer free* English classes at all levels, from basic to advanced levels to over 400 students a day. Students learn and practice their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills with assistance from qualified teachers and school resources, e.g. an English book library. All classes (of 10-30 students) are taught by Khmer teachers and foreign volunteers (when available), primarily on a volunteer basis due to lack of funding. Classes are held daily from Monday to Friday.

Educating heads, hands and hearts

We use the “Let’s Go” and “New Headway” curricula and other books from our English library to help students improve their English reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar skills.

To enhance the school life of our poorest students and provide for their holistic development, we also offer classes in art, sports, agriculture, computer skills, social work and education, hygiene, food security and environmental issues, all keys to unlock a better future in Cambodia. One of our critical goals is to inspire sustainable development, through which the community can benefit for many years from learning to be self-reliant. We also work to build strong self-esteem among children and their families to aid them in building new futures for themselves and their communities.

Even though public schools provide free education at the primary and secondary levels in Cambodia, the curriculum focuses on Khmer and other subjects like math. English instruction is very limited in quality and quantity, with only 1.5 hours of class per week. Public schools also do not provide classes in computer skills, other important languages or life skills, e.g. how to grow food and feed animals (organic farming and sustainable living), take care of the environment (reducing plastics pollution), and stay safe (including transport and food safety).

Extending a helping hand

The Building Future Opportunity Kbalromeas School works through an empowerment model at the grassroots level, which maintains that all paid employees are native Cambodians. BFOK relies solely on donations and funding from international contributors and supporters from all over around the world and ensures that 100% of any funding is returned directly into BFOK for its projects and the community.

We also have a second school in Prey Tom Village, Sro Nge Commune, Siem Reap City. This school provides a safe environment for over 65 disadvantaged children and young adults.

*We do charge a minimal fee for our services, but as we serve some of Cambodia’s poorest students, their families are unable to contribute to their children’s education.