Behind the Impact: Bunlee Khan

Behind the Impact.

Creating real change for the children, families and communities ChildFund Australia supports doesn’t happen alone. It takes a team working across borders, timezones and challenges. Our Behind the Impact series gives you a closer look at what drives our team. Here, Bunlee Khan, Managing Director of our local partner Khmer NGO for Education (KHEN) Cambodia, reflects on the chance that changed his own life – and why he is determined to create that same opportunity for children in remote communities.

The chance that changed his life

I was raised by a single mother with four children. When I was about eight, she sent my older brother and me to live at a pagoda (Buddhist temple) in Battambang so we could study. I still clearly remember the train journey from our village.

Life was difficult, and sometimes I wanted to give up, especially when I could not understand mathematics. When I was about 12, a teacher encouraged me and explained mathematics in a simple way. Because of her help, I started to enjoy mathematics again and continued studying.

My two teachers at the pagoda school also always encouraged and motivated me. Their support helped me build a strong base for my education and continue to improve myself.

I learned during those difficult years that if I did not stop studying, one day I could become what I wanted to be. I was given a chance to learn, and that experience inspired me to help establish KHEN in 2014, so more children in remote communities can have the same opportunity.

What his work with KHEN looks like

Most of my time is spent visiting communities and meeting children, teachers, parents and community members. I listen to parents and learn about the challenges they face. This is my passion and what motivates me every day.

We work with communities to make sure children in remote areas can access education from an early age. This includes establishing schools, training teachers and making sure children with disabilities can be included. We also train local young people to volunteer with children and families, including providing home-based education for children with disabilities who may not yet be able to attend school.

The barriers you might not expect

People may be surprised to know how much work it can take to help children in remote communities get to school. Some young children have to walk four or five kilometres to school, and in some areas it can be seven to 10 kilometres. Having a school in or near their own community can make it easier for children to start learning from a young age.

For me, a simple community classroom can give a child a proper place to learn, and a better chance to continue their education.

When inclusion isn't a given

When we visit communities, we still see children with disabilities staying at home and not accessing school. Sometimes parents don’t know their child can go to school or what support is available. Stigma and a lack of teacher training can also create barriers.

Earlier in my career, I visited a preschool where 20 children were learning inside while around 15 others stood outside, watching through the windows. I was told the program could only support 20 children because of its funding. That moment stayed with me. I couldn’t accept that funding limits should determine which children got the chance to learn.

Starting with "Why?"

When I face a difficult problem, I first ask myself, “Why is this happening?” I try to understand the real cause, not only the problem we can see. Then I think about what I can do and how I can start to make a difference.

For me, understanding the root cause matters. We need to start with what we can do now and improve step by step, rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Children cannot always wait.

Working with ChildFund

We have a very good partnership with ChildFund Cambodia. Since we started working together in 2017, it has helped us scale up projects and reach more schools in remote areas, supporting more students in those communities.

It has also helped us expand our work through teacher training, capacity building for our team and schools, and inclusive education. We have been able to reach more children with disabilities and take what we learn from our projects into other schools and communities.

What keeps him going

The remote communities where KHEN works are very special to me. We have worked with more than 85 communities and villages, and I feel a strong connection with the children, families and teachers there. Maybe one day, I can volunteer as a teacher myself. I would like to sit with children in the classroom, share what I know and support their learning in any way I can.

What he wants for every child

When I was a novice student, I walked about six kilometres to school and back every day. Sometimes I saw other students going by motorbike and wondered, “Why do they have this chance, but I have to walk?” But I kept going, dreaming of a better future.

I believe education can change a child’s life. I experienced that myself, which is why I want more children – especially those in rural communities – to have the same opportunity.

When I think about the children we work with, I think about being able to learn, stay in school and decide what they want to do with their lives. That’s why I believe we need to keep finding ways to include every child.

If we try to find a way to help, it works.

Changing what's possible

One of the things I want to see is more support reaching remote and poor communities, not only people living in Phnom Penh and other cities. There are many communities that are still forgotten and have limited opportunities. I want to find better ways to connect organisations, businesses and people with resources to these communities, based on what people actually need.

I believe development should reach the people who need it most, including children and people with disabilities.

What makes me excited about the future is seeing a new generation of children grow up with education, knowledge and opportunities. When children can go to school from a young age, regardless of where they come from, they can develop their potential and contribute to their families and communities.

What he comes back to

If someone who knows me well had to describe me in three words, I think they would say: Education, Action and Passion. I believe we should start now, not wait until everything is perfect or until the system is ready. For me, it always comes back to education and the chance it can give a child to learn, grow and decide what they want for their future. Education can change your life. I’ve seen it and lived it myself.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.