Reaching for the Stars

It is a dream come true for Pokim when she heard the news about her STEM4Girls scholarship!  Pokim said resolutely, “I am so happy to be selected for STEM4Girls scholarship.  I will put in extra efforts to improve my spoken English and computer skills.” 
 
If you remember, Pokim is one of the students, who has contributed time and efforts in the preparation of the “Zero Waste” competition. She has just relocated to the capital city of Phnom Penh for this life changing opportunity. We are thrilled to see her taking yet another step closer to reach her dreams.     

So, why STEM? And why girls? 

While Cambodia has made major progress in offering equal access to education for boys and girls, the country still suffers from a great gender disparity.  Based on data collected yearly by international organizations and the Cambodian Ministry of Education, the dropout rate among female students starts to go up as they move up in level, particularly when female students reach the secondary level.  
 
Then, what is preventing girls from attending school?  72% of the population lived on less than $3 per day, according to the Asian Development Bank in 2011.  In 2011, 91% of poor households lived in rural areas, and about 80% of the population lives in rural areas.  Poverty is one of the reasons for girls not receiving education.   

 In fact, a survey conducted by the UNICEF in 2012 shows that 36.1% of children in the country aged between 5 and 17 work as labourers, with more than 5 percent engaged in hazardous labouring tasks. 

In the Cambodian society, customarily, boys are considered more important than girls. This belief is taught from one generation to another and has been largely shaped by the ‘Chbab Srey’ – sort of Code of Conduct for women – in which, basically, women are taught to be “worthless”. 
  
Poverty, stereotypes and distance to school also are the main reasons that keep girls out of school (instead of complete school).   Additional factors also include lack of career opportunities, corruption, the lack of latrines and sanitary facilities and the lack of female teacher (or even female school directors). 

With this in mind, PeopleStories decided to uplift girls via our STEM4Girls Scholarship.  With now 3 girls in the program, we hope that more girls will be inspired to reach for the stars. 
  
When asked for their opinion about the biggest educational problem back in the village, the 5 girls who came to Phnom Penh for the STEM school entry exam were open with their thoughts.  Pokim shared, “There are many students who play games, use Facebook or TikTok instead of using technology to learn.  I wish to tell their parents to teach these students the importance of education.”  She further shared, “I would love to start a study club in her village and buy books for the students to read.” 
  
While in Phnom Penh, the 5 girls and our 2 teachers got to visit the University of Puthisastra, which is one of the leading medical science educational institutions.   It is an eye-opening and inspiring experience for all!  Teacher Kimsong said excitedly, “It was such a precious opportunity not only for the girls but for myself as a teacher to see a bigger world out there!”

Would you like to play a part in helping more girls gain access to STEM education?  Wave your magic wand for the girls, make a donation today: https://ps-schoolforlife2022.raisely.com/ 
   
 
Source: 
https://universelles.net/2017/09/08/girls-education-current-challenges-in-cambodia/ 
 
 
Story written by: Volunteer Bok Hoon Ong