 With a colourful history spanning many hundreds of years Cambodia is a nation that today carries deep ties to its history. Ruled by the French, decimated by the Khmer Rouge and occupied by the Vietnamese, this country and her people have not had much opportunity to stand on their own two feet.
The Kingdom of Cambodia in Southeast Asia has a population estimate of approximately 14 million. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists, but the country also has a substantial number of Muslim Cham (5%), and a very small percentage of Christians.
Cambodia’s educational system was devastated in the late 1970s when the Khmer Rouge regime closed schools and executed thousands of teachers. The regime viewed intellectuals, among others, as potential sources of opposition to its attempt to create an ideal socialist society. Ever since then, efforts to revive the education system have been hampered by a shortage of funds and trained teachers.
Despite recent progress, the Cambodian economy continues to suffer from the effects of decades of civil war, internal strife and corruption. Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Asia - only 20% of the population is officially employed. The other 80% are involved in the agricultural parts of the country. All fuel and most raw materials, capital equipment and consumer goods must be imported.
The willingness of the young people and opportunities available for development are endless in such a country ripe for growth.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 04 April 2008 )
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