Cambodian kids enjoy Chinese care packages

Se Sokna, a sixth grade student at the Angkomnob Primary School in Bati district, 40 kilometers south of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, was elated after receiving a Chinese-donated "kit of love" on Thursday, saying that the package was very useful.

"This kit is very valuable for us and I like it," she said after receiving the package, which included a school bag, stationery, a stainless-steel water bottle, and a stainless-steel lunch box, among other items.

Another sixth grade student San Sokchen, 12, said he was very grateful to China for the donation, and the package had not only aided his study, but also helped improve his personal hygiene.

"I received a school bag, tinned fish, a bottle of Ovaltine, a water bottle and a lunch box," he said. "I'm very happy and excited."

Jointly funded by Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and China Foundation for Peace and Development via Cambodia's Civil Society Alliance Forum, the "kit of love" project was launched by Cambodia's Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth and Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Liu was visiting Cambodia as head of a CPC delegation from Aug 23-26, and met with ruling Cambodian People's Party's president and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and other party leaders.

CSAF's planning and project director Chea Munyrith says that the three-month initiative is aimed at meeting the needs for stationery among students, to encourage them to study hard, help improve hygiene, be environmentally conscious and connect the hearts of the people in the two countries.

"A total of 10,000 'kits of love' will be donated to students in three target areas, including the capital Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk province and Tboung Khmum province," he said.

Munyrith said the "kit of love "project would not only contribute to reducing poverty, but also to improving the well-being of students in rural areas.

"We believe that this project will deepen the bonds of solidarity, friendship, and brotherhood between our two countries and peoples," he said.

Nget Sam Oeun, principal of the Angkomnob Primary School, where the project was launched, said that a total of 257 students in the school had each received a "kit of love".

"This is a good project because it has helped improve health and hygiene for rural students," he said. "The important project will contribute to improving health and hygiene for primary school students, particularly helping to protect them from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The 'kit of love' truly reflects the kind hearts of the Chinese people toward their Cambodian counterparts, and it has also brought smiles and hope to rural children in Cambodia," he added.