Empowering tomorrows leaders.
Youth Pathways Program
Youths enrolled in our Youth Pathways Program
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Students with their high school extra classes funded by REACH
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Educational excursions or workshops each month
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According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and World Bank Education Indicators, only 28% of Cambodian youth complete upper secondary school, and 21.4% go on to enrol in tertiary education. These numbers represent a sobering reality for local families: while primary school provides the foundation, the teenage years are a fragile crossroadswhere dreams are often lost to the immediate pressure of providing for a family. We are here to help our students defy those odds, ensuring they aren’t defined by a statistic, but by their own potential to lead their families forward.
We believe that empowering teenagers is the key to breaking long-standing cycles of poverty. Our Youth Pathways Program is a dedicated support system for impoverished youths aged 12 and over who find themselves at this critical turning point. We stand by those who, due to the weight of poverty, have been forced to drop out of formal education and lack the skills to find fair employment, as well as outstanding academic achievers who simply cannot afford the rising costs of finishing high school.
At REACH, we don’t just provide aid; we ask our youths to invest in themselves. This is an application-based program, ensuring that every participant is deeply committed to their own growth and the development of their community. To guide them through these fundamental years, we have structured the journey into distinct stages:
Level 1 & Cycling
(Grade 7 / Age 15+)
A 10-month Sunday program building soft skills, confidence, and public speaking, alongside Health & Wellbeing workshops and cycling sessions where kunior cyclists learn from experienced seniors.
Level 2 & Give Back Year
(Grade 8)
Soft skills and career
guidance continue, while
Level 1 graduates return
to REACH to volunteer,
hosting Art, Music, and
Sport activities for our
younger children.
Level 3 & Focused Study
(Grade 9)
A critical exam year.
Structured half-day sessions
give students dedicated
time for self-study, peer
learning, and homework as
they prepare for the National
Grade 9 Examination.
Level 4 & Cycling
(Grade 10 / Age 16+)
Soft skills, career guidance,
and Health & Wellbeing
workshops continue, with
senior cyclists now
mentoring the junior riders.
Level 5 & Give Back Year
(Grade 11)
Level 4 graduates take
their turn giving back,
volunteering to run Art,
Music, and Sport
activities for younger
children while continuing
their own development
Level 6 & Focused Study
(Grade 12 / Age 18+)
Structured half-day sessions
support final exam
preparation, alongside
individual consultation and
scholarship applications. The
REACH team guides
students through interview
processes with partners like
Sala Baï, Haven, and PEPY.
Behind every one of these stages is a financial reality we work hard to remove. Poverty should never be the reason a student stops learning. REACH provides stipends and tuition support to cover “extra class” fees at public schools, costs that range from AUD $20 to $70 per month. For those who have already left formal education, we provide monthly financial assistance to alleviate the pressure to join the exploitative workforce.
Support Our Youth Pathways Program
By joining our Running Costs Club, you are providing a dedicated young person with the “hand up” they need to stay in school. Your monthly support covers the vital tuition and stipends that act as a safety net, protecting our students from exploitative labour and giving them the freedom to focus on their dreams. If you’re interested in sponsoring our Youth Pathways Program or getting involved with REACH, please
contact emily@reachsiemreap.org
Computer Literacy Program
While our Youth Pathways Program builds the character and leadership of our students, Computer Literacy provides the technical tools they need to succeed. In today’s job market, basic IT skills are no longer an advantage; they are a necessity. Bybridging the digital divide, we ensure our youths can compete for professional roles and secure a future of fair, dignified employment.
Click here to learn more about our Computer Literacy Program.
Get Involved
Getting involved at REACH ensures that the kids and families in the Thlok Andoung community have access to life-changing opportunities. Your support helps us, and helps them change their lives for the better!
Click here to learn more.