Phum Trea is about 140km from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. To get there, one has to travel towards Kampong Cham, then go a 18km village road ride to the bank of Mekong River, where five minute boat ride will take you to the village. This village, about 5km in radius, is along the Mekong River, which also represents the lifeline of the villagers. A population of about 11,000 people, they speak the Cham language and a little Malay. They practice the Islamic faith and live without basic necessities like electricity and piped water. The villagers use water from the dirty Mekong River.

There is no proper teaching or medical facilities available to the villagers. Classrooms are overcrowded, hot and furnished with homemade furniture. There is only a village nurse and medical help and medicine are difficult to get.