PEPY primarily works in Siem Reap Province in the northwestern part of Cambodia. The majority of PEPY’s educational programs are in Chanleas Dai Commune, a rural area about 65 km outside the city of Siem Reap. The city, home to the temples of Angkor, is a burgeoning tourist destination and generates millions of dollars in tourism revenue each year.

However, the surrounding province of Siem Reap remains one of the poorest in Cambodia, with more than half the population living below the poverty line. Rural areas like Chanleas Dai lack infrastructure and quality schools, and have few opportunities for employment. Most families depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, yet due to a lack of water and irrigation, can only harvest one rice crop per year. Many individuals, including children as young as 12, therefore migrate to Thailand in the dry season, seeking work to support their families back home. Compared to national averages of retention rates, educator-to-student ratios, and high school graduation rates, Siem Reap is one of the lowest ranking provinces in terms of the quality of education. 

PEPY works with public schools in Chanleas Dai, offering educational programs that supplement the government curriculum. In addition, PEPY provides non-formal education programs in all eleven villages of Chanleas Dai Commune. Other PEPY programs focus on teacher training, curriculum development and support, as well as creating Khmer early literacy material to be used throughout Cambodia.