According to the World Food Program, “Malnutrition in Cambodia is a top public health concern and is a cause in approximately one third of child deaths.” Young children are particularly vulnerable due to their high nutritional requirements for growth and development. There are various factors that contribute to malnutrition, including inadequate food supplies as well as a lack of access to clean water (causing intestinal issues and serious diarrhoea) – also see our Clean Drinking Water Project. Frequently children miss school due to ill health, and when they do attend school they may find it difficult to concentrate. A number of children have stunted growth and delayed development.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship by Belinda and Bruce Robertson, Let’s Build a School has been able to establish a vegetable garden at Rik Reay Primary School. The garden provides much needed food for some of the poorest children. One boy stated (with a big smile on his face) that he and his sister have often gone without meals, but said that now the school director gives him food to take home.

The Robertsons have provided funding for a large water filter, pump, pipes/taps, seeds, improved fencing and other equipment to maintain the garden throughout the course of the year. The school is dedicated to maintaining and nurturing the garden so it will flourish. The children and teachers diligently care for their plants and reap the rewards of their harvests.

In addition to providing food, the garden also enables the school to integrate agricultural lessons into their curriculum, adding further educational value to the garden project.

Major sponsors:
Belinda and Bruce Robertson