Life on the Tonle Sap, which serves as the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, has long required residents to navigate the water for all daily activities. For children living in the floating village of Kampong Prahok, this reality extends to their commute to school. Each morning, gas-powered boats navigate the lake to collect students, many of whom are young enough to be among the passengers themselves. As these boats pull up to floating homes, children in crisp uniforms carefully board, ensuring their backpacks remain dry during the journey.
However, these daily commutes are becoming increasingly difficult due to a surge in fuel prices, which are being driven by the ongoing war in Iran. The higher cost of operating the boats has created a financial barrier for many families. Consequently, some children have been forced to quit school entirely, choosing instead to enter the workforce to assist their families in making ends meet. These economic pressures are compounded by the struggles of cash-strapped governments across Asia, which are finding it increasingly difficult to fund essential education initiatives and school meal programs that are vital for keeping millions of children in the classroom.
It isn’t any different for schoolchildren.Most mornings, a gas-powered boat chugs through Kampong Prahok floating village, steered by students often no older than those climbing aboard.
