School Uniform Shop Customers Help Over 1,600 Cambodian Children Access Education

Since launching its Giving Back initiative, School Uniform Shop and its customers have helped more than 1,600 children in rural Cambodia access education by providing the school uniforms they need to attend school.

In Cambodia, public schools require students to wear uniforms. For many families supported by the Ponheary Ly Foundation (PLF), even the small cost of a uniform can be a barrier that prevents a child from going to school. What may seem like a few pounds in the UK can mean the difference between education and exclusion for children in rural communities.

Thanks to the generosity of School Uniform Shop customers who choose to donate at checkout, these barriers are being removed.

In the school year 2023–2024, customer donations funded 377 uniforms. In the school year 2024–2025, customer donations funded 733 school uniforms for children across Cambodia. Since August 2025, customers have donated enough money to supply a further 544 uniforms, bringing the total number of students supported to 1,654.

“Our customers have shown how small actions can have a huge impact,” said Luke Conod, CEO of School Uniform Shop. “Every checkout donation directly funds a uniform that helps a Cambodian child access education. It’s something the entire team is incredibly proud of.”

The Ponheary Ly Foundation provides access to education for children living in extreme poverty in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces. Across all PLF-supported schools, 2,864 students gained access to education this year through the gift of a uniform, with School Uniform Shop contributions covering 733 of those.

Cassie, a member of the PLF team, shared a powerful story from distribution day:

“I watched a boy receive his new shirt and trousers, step aside, open them, smell them twice, then carefully fold them back into his bag. It was likely the first new clothing he’d had since last year’s distribution.”

For many of these children, their school uniform is not just an outfit for class; it’s often the only set of clothes they own.

“That moment says everything,” added Conod. “It reminds us that every donation, however small, can change a child’s life and future.”

School Uniform Shop continues to work closely with the Ponheary Ly Foundation to ensure that every penny donated at checkout goes directly toward supporting students and removing barriers to education.