Education breaks the poverty cycle
Volunteer Building Cambodia Community Centre (VBCCC)
The Volunteer Building Cambodia Community Centre (VBCCC) is more than just a school — it is a place of hope, opportunity, and change for children and families living in rural Cambodia. Located about 25 kilometres outside of Siem Reap, the centre gives children and teenagers access to education and skills that they cannot get in their local schools.
At VBCCC, we focus on English language and computer skills, because these are essential for the future. English is the language of the internet, international business, and higher education. Many Cambodian universities use English textbooks, so knowing the language helps students to succeed in further studies. Learning computer skills also prepares them for better job opportunities in today’s fast-changing world.
Every day, around 200 students attend our classes, and we are proud that more than half of them are girls. This is especially important in rural Cambodia, where girls often face barriers to education due to traditional beliefs that they should only marry and raise families. For poor boys too, education can be seen as less important than working to earn money for survival. At VBCCC, we challenge these beliefs by showing that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty for both boys and girls.
Our Khmer teachers and librarian are not only educators but also role models. They prove that no matter your background — whether you are poor, from a farming family, or a girl facing cultural barriers — you can dream big and achieve more.
VBCCC Facilities and Programs
VBCCC is designed to support students in many ways:
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Four classrooms for English lessons and life skills.
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A computer room where students learn vital digital skills.
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A library filled with books that encourage reading and imagination.
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A team of four Khmer teachers and one librarian, dedicated to their students’ success.
Beyond English and computers, we also teach about hygiene, health, the environment, planets, and other interesting topics that help children become well-rounded individuals.
Looking ahead, we plan to create a vocational training centre on the same land, starting with basic building skills. This will allow not only children but also adults in surrounding villages to gain practical knowledge, making it easier for them to find jobs and provide better futures for their families.
Education Challenges in Cambodia
Education is still a daily struggle for many children in Cambodia:
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Girls often face pressure to leave school early because families believe their role is to marry and have children.
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Boys may be forced to leave school to earn income, especially in poor families where survival depends on every small contribution.
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Many families believe that if you are born a farmer, you will remain one, and so education is a “waste of time.”
VBCCC is breaking these barriers by proving that education changes lives. Every child who learns English, gains computer skills, or simply discovers the joy of reading is given the chance to build a brighter future.
The Founder’s Story
The heart behind VBCCC is Sinn Meang, the founder and director of Volunteer Building Cambodia. Sinn was born during the Khmer Rouge regime, one of the hardest times in Cambodian history. His father passed away when he was very young, leaving his mother to raise four children alone in a small fishing village. Growing up in poverty, Sinn understood what it meant to go to bed hungry and to live without opportunities.
Even with these challenges, Sinn believed in education as a way forward. He worked hard to complete his schooling and continued his studies in English language and education, determined to make life better for himself and others. His own childhood struggles inspired him to create opportunities for children who, like him, came from poor families with little hope.
Sinn founded VBCCC with a dream: to ensure that no child in his community would be left without the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. Today, his vision has become a reality, with hundreds of children attending classes every day and entire families benefiting from the centre’s programs.
A Place of Opportunity and Hope
VBCCC is more than just a school — it is a place where children gain confidence, families see new possibilities, and communities believe in a better future. Through education, we are breaking the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.
