The gift of a uniform changes lives here

SIMPLE UNIFORM 

A LIFE-CHANGING EDUCATION.

Plus

PCHUM BEN FESTIVAL: A RICHNESS BEYOND POVERTY

From Prep to Year 11, they flood in expectantly, just wishing to be lucky

and have a uniform to stay at school for another year.

Thanks to those who have donated to this year's Uniform Fundraising -it's coming along, but we need more to try to kit out the 700  kids we'd like to help.  

Imagine a world where a simple uniform is the key to unlocking a future you could only dream of. In the outlying rural villages surrounding Siem Reap, that's exactly the case.

"The market lady demonstrates remarkable expertise, 

accurately fitting almost everyone after being given only their name, sex, and age."

For centuries, children followed their parents into the fields, as families fought to put food on the table. School was seen as a luxury—a waste of valuable time. But today, something incredible is happening. Parents are seeing ODA graduates gain salaried jobs that transform their families' lives.

This is the power of education, and it all begins with a uniform.

For just $27USD, you can provide a child with two sets of school uniforms.

This small act of kindness gives them the ticket to an entire year of government schooling. In Cambodia, kids have to have a uniform to be allowed to attend government school. 

NO UNIFORM = NO SCHOOL.  

On November 2, at the crack of dawn, 700 eager students will flood through the gates of Wat Village Pagoda. They'll walk and ride for miles, their happy chatter filling the air as they arrive to receive their uniforms.  If we raise more, we will include sneakers and socks, much easier to walk the rough roads to school than easily broken flip flops.

Your donation ensures they don't get turned away.

Most students still work their family farms around school hours

Join us in this mission! Your support helps us to continue this decade-long tradition of empowering students. Donate as soon as possible to help us get the correct number of uniforms and sizes to the market lady in time.

Give the Gift of Education Today.

FUND UNIFORMS HERE

Please note: Due to the tight time frame of Uniform Distribution, do not use the UK button, as their system takes 2 months for us to know you have donated and will have missed the uniform distribution.  Other buttons are PayPal, and we have frequent notifications from them.

Sticky Rice and Sacred Moments: 

Inside the Pchum Ben Festival

Rich Tapestry of Tradition as they visit a local Pagoda to celebrate Pchum Ben.  Leng, Sry On and Sry On’s dad, whose farm ODA is now working to feed all the kids.

At ODA, Leng and Sry On believe in supporting not only the educational needs of our students but also the rich cultural traditions that shape their lives. One of the most beautiful and heartwarming of these traditions is the Cambodian festival of Pchum Ben.

While our students come from families with limited financial resources, their lives are filled with a wonderful richness of culture and tradition. Pchum Ben, or "balled rice gathering," is a perfect example of this. It’s a 15-day festival rooted in a deep sense of gratitude and respect for ancestors.

A Journey Back Home

During this special time, Cambodian Buddhists believe that the souls of their ancestors are released for 15 days. People travel back to their home lands to reunite with their extended families and visit the local pagodas. For our village students and staff, this means a chance to return to their roots, reconnect with any loved ones or close kin, and take part in customs that have been passed down for generations.

It's a powerful reminder that no matter how far away they are for school or work, their roots remain at the very heart of Cambodian life.

Enjoying their picnic lunch on their journey to the Pagoda.

The Power of Tradition

The fundamental origin of Pchum Ben revolves around making offerings. Families cook and present food to monks, generating merits that they believe will help their ancestors in the afterlife. The most enchanting custom involves sticky rice balls.

In the early morning hours, around 4 a.m., people walk around the pagoda three times, tossing these sticky rice balls for their ancestors to find and eat. This ritual is considered incredibly important; it’s a way to ensure ancestors feel remembered and honored, preventing any bad fortune from befalling the family.

Some years if finances allow, Leng and Sry On take the boarding school students to spend a night at a special pagoda. Packing up traditional food and sleeping on the floor, it’s an exciting diversion from everyday life.  For the younger kids, the 4 a.m. wake-up call is a thrilling adventure. With infectious enthusiasm, they often circle the pagoda far more than the traditional three times. Some even whisper that they’ve seen a ghost or two along the way!

These customs—simple acts of offering and prayer—are a vital part of Khmer life. They bring a deep sense of purpose and connection, reminding everyone that while material wealth may be scarce, the bonds of cultural communities and the richness of their traditional heritage are a treasure beyond measure.

Perfect gathering spot for them to relax and chat. They all love a day out.

Your support of ODA helps us protect and celebrate these traditions, giving our students a chance to thrive while staying connected to the roots that define them. Thank you for helping us preserve this wonderful richness of life.

SUPPORT FREE ODA CLASSES HERE