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Before returning to Sanko Primary School in Cambodia’s rural Kampong Thom province, Khaina took a brief detour into the marketing profession in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. But corporate work didn't resonate. A writer at heart, he knew his true gift lay in sharing knowledge, pouring his reflections into writing his very own book titled Continue Learning, Continue Living. Today, his deep love of sharing and growth comes alive in his classroom, further supported by the SMILE programme.
When the Lessons Felt Incomplete
Khaina’s dedication is best seen through the eyes of the families he encounters daily. Parents frequently message him photos and videos of their children studying hard at home.
Step back, however, the classroom paints a very different picture of where he started. Before the SMILE programme entered in 2022, Khaina described his teaching as messy and unguided. He struggled to use learning materials, his lessons felt incomplete, and he relied solely on reading from textbooks. He said teaching mathematics felt dry and uninspiring, and his students’ performance lagged behind. When he tried to compete for a role-model teacher competition, he failed, leaving him deeply discouraged and thinking about giving up.
The Strengthening Early Grade Maths through Inclusive, Level-Appropriate Education (SMILE) programme, which ran from 2022-2026, supported teachers to provide effective, level-appropriate and gender-responsive mathematics teaching for learners in Grades 1 to 3. Implemented by VVOB in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, SMILE was delivered in primary schools across Kampot, Kep and Kampong Thom provinces.
Before SMILE, the classroom felt very dry and soulless. Now, it feels like a new flower that has just bloomed again.”
The Power Bank That Recharged Khaina
When the SMILE programme began in Kampong Thom province, Khaina describes it as a turning point that recharged him and reorientaed him. It offered him the structure, training, and support he was seeking.
“The SMILE programme is like a power bank to me. The programme recharges me and pushes me to try, and improve again.”
Through SMILE programme workshops, he learned how to design engaging lesson plans, manage his classroom effectively, utilise the step-by-step Teacher Guide, and incorporate supplementary learning materials like the “Smart Monkey/Kon Sva Jlart” math exercise book. Sometimes, he struggled to read and understand the Teacher Guide and follow it fully. However, when he faced these challenges or had doubts, he reached out to his master teacher for consultation and feedback.
Teacher Oh Kainha pictured speaking at the closing ceremony of the SMILE Programme in Phnom Penh, 23 September 2026.
When he reflects now, those moments with his mentors have stayed with him: “I remember the good memories with my master teacher, who tried their best to give me feedback and help me. I remember their smiles and warmth. So I wanted to bring this and share the same warmth to my learners and classrooms too.”
Learners Finally Raising Hands
That warmth has transformed his classroom into a much more playful space today. Before SMILE, he described his classroom as distracting and chaotic, with learners too shy or terrified to speak. After SMILE, hands started flying up. Learners became eager, active, and bursting with questions.
One of Khaina's favorite moments captures how he will sometimes intentionally write a math calculation wrong on the whiteboard, and his students instantly say, “Oh, this is wrong, teacher.” They are no longer afraid to think, speak, and question their teacher.
He witnessed this same breakthrough on an individual level. One learner consistently struggled with tests despite seeming to understand in class. Instead of letting him fall behind, Khaina brought out the learning materials and worked with him one-on-one, leading his test scores to soar by the end of the semester. Later, when one of his learners moved to Phnom Penh, her parents called Khaina to share that she had ranked first in her new class. Those are some of the moments that have left Khaina in awe as a teacher.
A good teacher is a person who nurtures learners and encourages them to adopt lifelong learning.
A Life Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
To Khaina “A good teacher is a person who nurtures learners and encourages them to adopt lifelong learning.”
Today, he teaches Grade 1 in the morning and steps in to cover Grade 2 in the afternoon. He knows that teaching young learners with a short attention span requires constant energy, and he approaches it with profound joy. As the formal SMILE programme concludes, Khaina’s commitment remains the same.
I am still going to use the methods that I learned from the programme. They have taught us everything, and we are independent and strong on our own. We can continue to do this.
“Even without SMILE, I am still going to use the methods that I learned from the programme. They have taught us everything, and we are independent and strong on our own. We can continue to do this.”
For a young boy who grew up studying at Sanko Primary School, coming back to teach and build a solid foundation for the next generation is the ultimate fulfilment of a life dedicated to continuous learning.
“I used to study here, in Sanko, when I was young,” Khaina reflects with a smile. “I’m so happy that I can be the teacher and contribute back to where I grew up.”