On the 20th June 2011, TSF opened a telecoms centre in the village of Svay Chek, in north-west Cambodia, in the province of Banteay Meanchey, one of the poorest regions in the country. It was the fifth telecoms community centre opened by TSF in the world.
The region of Svay Chek
Svay Chek makes up one part of the 8 districts of Banteay Meanchey and shares a border with Thailand. The community centre principally benefits two of the largest districts, Svay Chek (the capital) and Ta Bean, respectively consisting of 12,000 inhabitants and more than 4,000 farmers.
The districts of Svay Chek and Ta Bean are situated 35km from Sisophon (the capital of the Banteay Meanchey province and the nearest point of internet access). The region also lacks road infrastructure; for example, it takes an hour to reach Sisophon from Svay Chek.
A strategic location close to the schools of the district, thus benefiting many pupils
The district of Svay Chek includes 3 secondary schools (1 high school and 2 middle schools) and 8 primary schools, so more than 3,000 pupils can benefit from the services provided by the community centre. The centre has a strategic location, only 100m from the high school and 500m from two of the primary schools, allowing students to easily visit the centre before or after their classes.
Than Seksa, attending Word and Excel classes, student in Svay Chek High school: “I need to study computers because I know that I am finishing my High School next year and will continue to study at University. I must know how to use computers at university, to make my study there easier.”
Vat Navin, attending the Word and Excel classes in Cambodia’s centre: “I learn how to write text documents and create tables for my studies and my future job. I don’t want to be penalized because I don’t know how to use a computer.”
A sustainable and ecological community centre
Electricity represents a large cost in Svay Chek, so TSF has installed solar panels and generators in order to reduce outgoings and ensure the sustainability of the centre. As such, the centre has an independent energy supply and is environmentally friendly.
This project was realised in collaboration with the local association Agricam, and was given financial support by Delta Partners, who has already helped TSF to create a community centre in Alabak, Niger, in July 2010.
TSF representatives from the TSF regional base in Bangkok went to Svay Chek several times between July and December 2011 to improve the capacity of the Telecom Community Centre by providing administrative and technical support.
Services provided by the community centre
- 10 Computers, 1 video projector, 6 webcams, 6 pairs of headphones, 1 camera, 1 DVD/CD reader and 1 speaker, 1 printer/scanner/copy
- Computer classes (Word, Excel and Internet)
- English classes
