Story

I am reaching out with deep hope and urgency, as The Learning Tree Kep is at a critical turning point.

For years, it has been my dream to create a nurturing space where children—regardless of their background or abilities—can receive a quality early education. To make this dream a reality, I poured my life savings into founding The Learning Tree Kep in Kep, Cambodia, determined to give young learners the foundation they deserve.

The Learning Tree Kep is a kindergarten dedicated to teaching children between the ages of 2 and 7. We provide a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment where young children can develop essential skills through play, music, movement, and hands-on learning. Our curriculum incorporates both Khmer culture and English immersion, ensuring students gain a strong foundation for their future education. While we are currently focused on early childhood education, our long-term vision is to grow into a full primary school, allowing children to continue their learning journey with us beyond kindergarten.

Since opening, we have welcomed children from diverse backgrounds, including those from families who could not otherwise afford schooling. Currently, we provide two full scholarships, which I personally fund. We also support children with special educational needs, ensuring they receive the individualised care and attention they require. However, we are unable to accept more children with special needs or those from low-income families without additional funding to hire trained staff and provide necessary resources. The need is immense, and we are struggling to sustain what we have built.

At The Learning Tree Kep, we do so much more than just teach. We provide a safe and joyful environment where children explore through painting, sensory play, storytelling, interactive lessons, and outdoor activities that encourage creativity and social development. We have seen firsthand how early education changes lives. A child who once struggled to speak is now singing along in class. A shy student now confidently engages with peers. Every day, we witness small but powerful transformations that remind us why this work is so important.

One of the key factors that makes our kindergarten so special is our commitment to a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio. This ensures each child receives the attention and support they need to thrive. Additionally, two of our special needs students require a 1:1 teacher-to-student ratio, meaning we need even more staff to be able to accept additional children with special educational needs. Maintaining this level of care requires additional staffing, which is only possible with more funding. We also want to expand our scholarship programme so that more children from low-income families have access to a quality education. Without external support, we may soon be forced to make difficult decisions that could impact the children who rely on us.

I am humbly asking for your help. A donation, sponsorship, or connection to potential funding sources could make all the difference. Whether it’s sponsoring a child’s education, contributing to operational costs, or sharing our story with others who may be able to help, every gesture brings us closer to sustaining this mission.

In return for sponsorships or donations, we would love to acknowledge your generosity. We can offer branding opportunities on our website, special thanks on our social media platforms, and recognition in our newsletters and school materials. For businesses and organisations, this is a meaningful way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility while making a tangible impact on children’s lives.

Education should not be a privilege reserved for the few—it should be a right accessible to all. With your support, we can continue giving these children, including those with special needs and those from low-income families, a safe, loving environment where they can learn, grow, and build a better future.

If you would like to discuss how you or your organisation can help, I would love the opportunity to connect. Please feel free to reach out at [Your Contact Information].

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us and the children we serve.