Cambodia underwent a domestic war over 30 years, especially during the darkness and nightmare period of culture genocide from 1975-1997; all the national infrastructure and human resources were almost destroyed.

In the 1990s, after the Paris Peace Accord and the UN sponsored election, there were significant changes in the education system, many new schools building were constructed and more material became available through donor funding.

The education system of Cambodia, though, has improved and dramatic changes, but there still many problem in Cambodia education; there is low survival rate at secondary education. The reason of low survival rate of secondary education is poverty.

PHOUNG PHOU is 14 years old, studies at grade 6 at TOUL VIHEAR primary school, which locates at TEUK PHOS district, Kampong Chhnang Province; PHOU like studying mathematic and wishes to be a nurse and works at the clinic in his commune where there are many poor people and have no money for treatment when getting sick.  

PHOUNG PHOU has 9 siblings and he is the 7^th son of the family living in a poor cottage where about 10km from school without access road; PHOU’s 4 elder brothers and 2 elder sisters quit their study at primary school due to the hard living situation of the family.  PHOUNG PHOU’s parents are unhealthy, so all children have to work so that to survive the family.  PHOU will graduate primary school this year and continue to Junior high school next academic year; he is a vulnerable student and may quit his study if the living situation becomes harder. 

Majority of Cambodian children living at the rural area from the economically disadvantaged family have to work after school time, Sunday and holiday so that to survive day by day; it is quite deferent from children from the economically advantaged family; they can take relax, visit resort area, access to additional course and get warm  comfort from their family.  Children from the poor family have lack chance for education; they are the vulnerable children to quit their study due to poverty; poverty is the enemy to destroy their future.