Bridging the gaps: ABA Bank's inclusive effort in two Muslim schools' renovation
13/Aug/2024
Nestled in remote Village 4, Khsam Commune, Kampong Chhnang City, two small and relatively run-down Muslim schools with four teachers were the only hope for around 140 elementary students to receive any education. Al-Muwattes Warahmah School and Al-Hakimi School only had one classroom each to accommodate their students. However, those classrooms have seen better days.
The before and after
During the monsoon season, the rain would leak through the damaged wooden roofs, flooding the floors and disrupting class sessions. The students were forced to leave early, and the facilities, such as desks, tiles, and other materials, were also affected. Al-Muwattes Warahmah School's roof was barely keeping the rainwater out, while at Al-Hakimi School, floor tiles within the class perimeter were cracked, posing a potential hazard to students.
Acknowledging the school’s challenges through a proposal made by the Cambodian Amanah Takaful Association (CATA), ABA Bank stepped up and contributed around 33 million riels to both school renovation projects.
In two months, both schools underwent major renovations. The wooden roofs and ceilings were removed and replaced, the flooring was dismantled, and new non-slippery tiles were given to ensure the students’ safety. New windows were installed for better ventilation and an adequate source of natural lighting.
The indoor and outdoor walls were freshly painted with vibrant colors, creating a livelier and more learning-friendly atmosphere for teachers and students. The impactful result of two newly renovated buildings acquiring four classrooms was that the students were beyond excited to study in a healthier and safer environment.
Sakirin, a 4th grader at Al-Muwattes Warahmah School expressed, “When it rained before, the class was flooded through the broken roof and ruined my notebooks. We all had to sit cramped next to each other in a corner to study. However, after the renovation, thanks to ABA Bank, we can now sit comfortably at our own table and study well".
“We at CATA are proud to partner with ABA Bank in this community-centered project. The renovation of these school buildings paves the way for these underprivileged students to have a better learning environment," stated Sen Saman, Executive Director of CATA.
Immense gratitude and ways forward
The inauguration occurred on the school's grounds on 12 August 2024, with approximately 200 participants. The event was presided over by H.E. Sann Yu, Deputy Governor of Kampong Chhnang Province. ABA Bank staff and CATA team also participated in the event with the school principal, teachers, parents, and students.
The students had the chance to engage in hands-on activities by helping plant trees and painting the side of their classroom buildings with support from ABA staff, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Also, as a gesture of encouragement, the students were given stationery kits to enhance their learning experience.
ABA's Chief Human Resource Officer, Ly Vithiea, stated, “At ABA Bank, we strongly believe that education lays the groundwork for building a lasting human capital base within our nation. It unlocks the potential for our youth to have a successful future and emerge as leaders who will drive the progress of our society”.
ABA's unwavering commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework drives the initiation and collaboration of sustainable and impactful projects. These endeavors are crucial to the country's socioeconomic development and human capacity building. Looking forward, ABA will continue to make efforts to initiate and collaborate in more CSR activities to promote the betterment of Cambodian youth's future and the country as a whole.
