Programs

Each BrightStart program has been developed with forethought to be sure it’s a fit for the educational needs of Cambodia and that we honor God in the process. We value the well-being of our students, their innate desire to learn, and their spiritual progress. Unlike most schooling and tutoring in Cambodia, BrightStart classes are always free of charge to our students.

Kindergarten- 12th Grade Learning Centers

Over 500 children attend BrightStart study centers in the city of Battambang and the nearby villages at over 9 learning centers. Our students remain enrolled in the Cambodian public school system while pursuing remedial education offerings at the BrightStart study centers. Classes are offered to students six days per week, from Kindergarten to Grade 12. We provide special attention to our Grade 9 and 12 students with national examination requirements. BrightStart’s lessons are taught in the Khmer language for subjects such as Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Skills. Several of our centers offer multiple levels of English instruction. Additionally, many of BrightStart’s study centers host worship services and Sunday schools on the weekends.  

Roots of Grace Village Bible Studies and Schooling

Our Roots of Grace ministries introduce Jesus into broken situations with the hope of changing generations. Our objective is to break the generational cycles of living on the streets through expanded opportunities for spiritual investment, education, hygiene, physical and emotional care, and vocational training. Our staff regularly ministers to more than 300 people living on the streets in Battambang, Cambodia. This is primarily accomplished in two ways: Bible studies on the streets and providing educational assistance to the young children of the families living on the streets. Weekly Bible studies occur in four different locations across the city of Battambang. Dozens of people that had previously never heard the name of Jesus Christ are now devoted followers of him. Young children from the streets come to our Roots of Grace ministry center where they are bathed, dressed in clean school uniforms, given breakfast, and taken to school. After the school day, the children return to the ministry center, and they are fed lunch, helped with their homework, and engaged in English and Bible classes before our staff returns them to the places they stay.

Ready to Grow Preschool

Our Preschool launched in 2022 with 4 students. We currently have 8 students enrolled for the 2023 school year and a goal of 12 students for the following year. Our teachers write and cater the curriculum to the educational level of the students with the unique culture of Cambodia in mind. The interaction with the students not only opens up doors for the gospel to be shared with them, but with their families in the villages.

The Path Dorm Ministry

The Path is a dorm ministry with 20 current high school and university students. While living in community, students grow in fellowship, learn about God and prepare for the next stage of life. These students are also responsible for hosting Sunday school for 130 students from 2 different villages.

Neary Clahan Women’s Literacy Program

Women in Cambodia are often pressured to quit school at an early age, either to help provide for their family or to start one of their own. Neary Clahan (Khmer for “courageous woman”) is our Women’s Literacy Program. Here, we provide educational opportunities for women who want to become literate for the sake of their children and their own self-esteem. Childcare is available while our ladies attend their classes. We also minister to the emotional and physical needs of these vulnerable women and their families. We currently have 52 women and 60 children and have had 11 women graduate from the program.

The Bless Project

BrightStart Learning Education Success Stories – helps our students prepare for their next chapter of life after high school. BrightStart’s Grade 10 – 12 students receive personal guidance counseling before and after they take the annual Grade 12 National Examination. For students who have studied with BrightStart for a year or more, financial assistance is available for their transition from high school to university or vocational training.