Artwork #10: “A Shared Path to Learning”
By Heng Morokoth
Education is a journey of gaining knowledge, skills, and values through study, research, and the guidance of people around us. Education can take two forms: formal (in schools) and non-formal, which we gain through real-life experiences within our families, communities, and environments we grow up in.
Children are like lotus flowers, growing from muddy waters. They need nurturing just as a lotus requires water to rise from a tiny bud into full bloom. Similarly, children flourish when they are cared for by their parents and provided with opportunities to learn and grow. With support, they gain new knowledge and can one day succeed.
Education is vital for all—boys and girls alike. In many remote areas, girls often drop out of school or are forced into early marriage due to poverty and safety concerns. Parents play a crucial role in encouraging their children, both sons and daughters, to pursue a full education.
Beyond parents, teachers are also key to building a child’s morality and academic development. Meanwhile, community involvement in non-formal education is also essential. In urban areas or provinces, this might include skilled workers volunteering their time to repair or build schools. In rural villages, community members are powerful role models, helping children by planting trees, preparing school grounds, or painting school walls.
These efforts are more than just acts of service; they are examples, knowledge, and shared experiences that shape children’s futures and help them complete their education and succeed.