Village Rays USA is dedicated to ensuring access to quality education and creating lasting opportunities for children in rural Cambodia. We exist to support Village Rays Cambodia by raising funds, building awareness, and providing the consistent resources needed to ensure children can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment. Through ongoing financial support and advocacy, we help sustain the work happening on the ground and strengthen the foundation that allows the school and its students to succeed.

At the heart of our mission is a belief that education has the power to change lives and communities. Many children in rural Cambodia face significant barriers to education due to poverty, limited resources, and circumstances beyond their control. Village Rays USA supports the Village Rays Cambodia team  to bridge these gaps by connecting compassionate donors and supporters with a mission rooted in hope, opportunity, and long-term impact. Every contribution helps create stability and continuity, giving children the chance to focus on learning and envision a brighter future

We are committed to building meaningful connections between communities across borders. By bringing together individuals who believe in the transformative power of education, we help empower children with the tools they need to break cycles of poverty and build lives filled with possibility. Our role is to stand beside Village Rays Cambodia, amplify their work, and ensure that support remains strong, consistent, and focused on the future of every child they serve.

Sary was born in Siem Reap in 1982, after the Khmer Rouge but during a time of continued civil war in Cambodia. Growing up in a country troubled by conflict, he experienced firsthand the challenges that many children in rural communities face, particularly when it comes to access to education. He attended school at a pagoda, where learning was shaped by limited resources but strong community values. Those early experiences left a lasting impression and planted the seed for what would become his life’s mission: to ensure that underprivileged children have access to education and the freedom to dream beyond their circumstances.

Years later, that mission took tangible form. In 2018, driven by a deep sense of responsibility to the children in his community, Sary began teaching English in a small classroom in his garden. With little funding and no formal infrastructure, he relied on determination, personal sacrifice, and the belief that education could open doors for the next generation. To help fund the growing school, he sold his chickens and his motorbike, choosing to invest everything he had into creating a space where children could learn, feel supported, and imagine a brighter future.

“I want the children to have more opportunities than I had growing up, and an education so they can have a brighter future.”
— Sary

What began as a humble garden classroom grew through the collective effort of the community. Neighbors, families, and local supporters came together to help build the school from the ground up, reinforcing Sary’s belief that education is strongest when it belongs to the people it serves. Today, Sary lives on-site in Puok with his wife, Malis, and their young daughter, Monika, remaining closely connected to the daily life of the students and families he supports.

To Sary, the school is more than a place of learning. The students and their families are his extended family. Many parents must work overseas to provide for their children, and Sary has become a steady, caring presence in their lives, offering guidance, encouragement, and stability. His greatest hope is simple but powerful: that every child will have more opportunities than he had growing up, and that education will give them the confidence and tools to shape their own futures.

Village Rays Cambodia is a small community school in Puok that provides free English education to more than 60 students between the ages of 5 and 16. For many children in Puok and the surrounding villages, this school represents their only opportunity to learn English. Without Village Rays Cambodia, access to this kind of education would be out of reach, limiting future opportunities and pathways forward.

The school offers more than lessons. It provides stability, encouragement, and a safe environment where children can build confidence and believe in their potential. For students whose families face financial hardship or who are separated from parents working overseas, Village Rays Cambodia is a place of consistency and support. It is where children feel seen, valued, and empowered to keep learning.

English education opens doors, and students understand its power deeply. Sena, a 12-year-old student at Village Rays, shares:

“My dream is to speak English fluently. I want to travel, meet new people, and share my ideas with confidence. I believe English will open many doors for my future. I know the journey is not easy, but I will never give up my dream.”
— Sena, Student at Village Rays

Every day, students like Sena practice with determination, resilience, and hope. With the support of donors and partners, Village Rays Cambodia continues to be a place where children can dream beyond their circumstances and take meaningful steps toward a brighter future. Each contribution helps sustain a learning environment that gives children not just education, but the confidence to imagine what’s possible.

Village Rays USA is a small group of committed individuals who share Sary’s vision. All have a deep connection to Cambodia and, after meeting Sary during their time there, quickly became passionate about supporting the school and its mission.

Each trustee brings different skills and experience to their role – working to ensure Village Rays USA is well-governed, funded sustainably and reaches new supporters.

Village Rays Cambodia exists because of the generosity of donors who believe in the power of education to change lives. Ongoing support helps ensure that children continue to have access to free English education in a safe and supportive environment. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in sustaining the school and giving students the stability they need to keep learning, dreaming, and working toward a brighter future.

If you’re interested in giving some time as well as donations, please get in touch to see how you could get involved!