[Cambodia] Supporting the construction of the Women’s Dormitory at Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Battambang Branch, Cambodia

2024-01-27

In traditional Cambodian society, women did not have the opportunity to receive higher education. In addition to the scarcity of schools, concerns about safety discouraged families from supporting education for their daughters.

However, over the past 30 years, the number of female students deciding to pursue university education after high school graduation has increased. To continue their studies, they must leave their hometowns and migrate to the capital, Phnom Penh, facing difficulties with accommodations, food, transportation, and the high cost of living. Students are requesting the government to open schools in each region to address these challenges.

So far, the number of students in the capital city continues to increase, and the proportion of students coming from the northwest region and remote areas has also increased. Most of the students are selected through government scholarships, but there are still a considerable number of students who cannot afford living expenses and end up dropping out. To overcome this issue, JTS is collaborating with schools to construct dormitories.

The dormitory project at the Battambang branch of the Preah Sihanouk Rajah Buddhist University aims to provide a place where students can comfortably reside and focus on their studies. Living together with students from different regions will broaden their understanding of others, and through their academic pursuits, they will develop the skills necessary to become essential contributors to society.

Before construction began, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. We gathered and earnestly prayed for the successful completion of the project.

The construction work has officially begun. First, the ground where the building will be erected was leveled.

And then, they proceeded with reinforced concrete construction. Countless hands contributed to the construction to ensure the building has a strong foundation.

On this compacted ground, they began construction with steel reinforcing bar (rebar)f. They meticulously erected the rebar that will form the core of the building.

​​Upon the erected reinforced columns, they started building the floors. After each floor was added, meticulous reinforcement work was carried out.

Each reinforced floor is supported by reinforced columns. This process was repeated for each floor.

Now that construction of reinforced columns and floors is complete, it’s time to start the brickwork. Workers coordinated with each other, building stairs and steadily laying bricks one by one. The shape of the building began to emerge both inside and out.

Here is the current progress of the construction site. The dormitory is a 4-story concrete building, scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Once the project is successfully completed, 58 female students will be able to stay here each year and continue their studies.

We hope this will become a place where students can realize their dreams they brought from their hometowns. JTS will be there to support them.