Chhaiya Im

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Cambodia

Chhaiya Im

Chhaiya is a servant-leader committed to social justice reform and equality through education in Cambodia. In 2015, Chhaiya founded Opening Doors Cambodia (ODC), an English school in a La’ork village which he continues to lead as founder, headmaster, and teacher and, growing it from a hand-built shed to a four-room campus hosting 200 students today.

Having witnessed extraordinary inequality in the education system, Chhaiya seeks to demonstrate that an honest, educated person can create a positive future for themselves, their families and their country. 

Just as it was for him, he believes that an excellent English education can develop strong values, uplift students & their families out of poverty and serve as a foundation for further opportunities. Through ODC, Chhaiya is not just teaching language; he is nurturing hope, instilling confidence, and opening doors to a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous society. 

Chhaiya hopes to enhance his understanding of how to combat inequity through education as a leader and lifelong learner through the Equity Community.He envisions a world where schools represent a place of justice, where it is acceptable for children to be brave and courageous, and where children are not threatened.