On Wednesday, October 1, schools across Cambodia opened for the first day of the 2008-09 school year. In celebration, the Phoum Stung Primary School teachers, more than five hundred students and hundreds of community members convened on the school grounds for a ceremony.

The District Deputy Governor opened the event with comments on the importance of education. He urged parents to send their children to school regularly, and read a letter with a similar message from Hun Sen, Cambodia's Prime Minister. The Village Chief of Phoum Stung and the head monk from the local pagoda also spoke. As they talked, students and community members alike stirred and spoke amongst themselves, as is customary in Cambodia.

The final three speakers, however, captured the full attention of all attendees. As three fifth grade students from the Phoum Stung Kids' Club, an initiative of the teachers and SCC, took the podium, the crowd was silent. The three girls presented their findings from a school mapping research project that they completed in two villages serviced by Phoum Stung Primary School. They reported the number of students out of school as well as the top reasons that keep kids from getting an education.

Organized by the Phoum Stung School Director, the opening ceremony was a true community effort. The residents of Phoum Stung contributed microphones and a sound system, the monks of the local temple provided notebooks and pens for students, the teachers donated their time and safe drinking water, and SCC covered the cost of decorations. This was the first ceremony of its kind held at Phoum Stung School, and if it's any indication of what is to come, the year promises improved community participation and commitment to education.