Mebon Primary School

In 2019, during a trip to Southeast Asia, Dave visited Mebon Primary School in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Our local partners identified the learning center, sitting in the shadows of the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex, as a worthy cause deserving of our support.

After visiting the school and engaging in discussion with the headmaster and many of the students, DK agreed, and the KAI Foundation committed to supporting the school.

The plan was to build a new classroom to double the size of the existing, overcrowded learning space, and furnish it with new desks, whiteboards, and all necessary learning tools & supplies. We also discussed installing a water catchment & filtration system to provide ample clean drinking water for the students and staff.

Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic hit just months after Dave’s return to the USA, which put a halt to any immediate plans. In late 2020, as Cambodia opened to tourism and restrictions were eased, the KAI Foundation was ready to begin work on the project. However, we hit another major hurdle - due to the school’s proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, all work requires approval from the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA). The application & approval process proved to be far more stringent than anticipated.

While our colleagues in Cambodia worked on securing the necessary permits and approvals to commence construction, we honored our commitment to Mebon, however possible - this included the installation of a playground for the children, putting new ceiling fans in the existing classrooms & offices, and replacing all desks and windows in the existing classrooms.

Finally, on May 9, 2025, we received the letter from ASPARA that we had been waiting for; approval for our new schoolhouse was granted! Construction commenced in early June, and the local team did an admirable job of erecting the building with impressive speed & efficiency. The finishing touches were put on the structure just six weeks after construction began, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 23, 2025. The celebration included local dignitaries, Buddhist monks to offer blessings, and, of course, dozens of local children who will reap the benefits of this project.

The new school building will allow Mebon Primary School to enroll double the number of students each year. It also ensures that there will be no more than two pupils to a desk in any classroom.

As with all of our projects, the KAI Foundation remains committed to the school and surrounding communities. We have furnished all classrooms with new fans, desks, and supplies and we will continue to ensure that the students have a comfortable learning environment.

The KAI Foundation has sent additional funds for the improvement of the grounds - new gardens will be put in and the grounds will be cleaned up. We are still pursuing solutions to provide everyone with adequate clean drinking water.