Students choking on smoke from burned garbage

Discarded in trash can without being properly sorted

In Cambodia, garbage problems are getting serious. There are no waste incineration plants in the country and waste landfills are almost full. People here are not accustomed to sort garbage by type: in fact, quite a few people dispose of their garbage without paying much attention. At schools, it is common to see trash littering in schoolyards even though trash cans are in place.
Even at the model schools of this project in Kampong Cham province, garbage has never been properly separated so far, and various types of garbage have been collected in a large concrete-made “garbage dump” and burnt altogether. As a result, students' health is at risk due to the smoke and hazardous substances generated from burned garbage on campus.

Through Nutrition Education and Promotion Project, FIDR has encouraged schools to improve their garbage disposal practices convincing them that it is essential to have hygienic environment to lead a healthy life. Children's habits and behaviors related to their health, such as what they eat and how they dispose of garbage, are greatly influenced by the behaviors of adults surrounding them, especially their parents, teachers and friends. Vice versa, children's behaviors will influence their friends and families. Therefore, the project initiated organizing voluntary students to tackle this issue together at the model schools.

A poster to call for voluntary students to tackle the garbage problem

In April 2022, we appealed to the students at the two high schools, “Let's do something together to improve the garbage problems!” Nearly 20 students raised their hands at each; out of them, 10 students were selected respectively. Led by FIDR staff, they held a kick-off meeting in June, and deepened their understanding on garbage and environmental pollution in the country through videos. After that they exchanged various opinions, such as, “it is quite disappointing to see the garbage issues causing environmental pollution,” “each of us should bring own lunch box and flask from home to reduce the use of plastic for keeping the school environment clean.”

FIDR continues to support student groups in taking action to improve the hygienic environment at schools.

Students learning about Cambodia's garbage problems

Students developed rapport through games at the kickoff meeting

Student group at Hun Sen Meanchey high school

Student group at Srei Santhor high school