In Cambodia, particularly in rural areas surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake, it’s not uncommon for children to travel to school by boat. Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, and many communities living along its shores or on floating villages rely on boats as a primary mode of transportation due to the extensive network of waterways.
In some areas around Tonle Sap Lake, communities live in floating villages constructed on rafts or stilts. These villages are often located on the lake or along its tributaries, and residents navigate the waterways using boats. Instead of walking or using motor vehicles, children from these communities travel to school by boat. They may use small wooden boats powered by oars or small engines, or they may travel in larger communal boats that transport multiple students at once.
