Education Cambodia Project #51883

University for Low-Income Students in Cambodia

by Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation

Project Report | Dec 18, 2023
I Saw My Name

By Sokmean | CWEF Scholarship Recipient in Cambodia

Sokmean first day of nursing school

Hello everyone, my name is Sokmean, and I am from Preah Vihear province, near the Thailand border, around 350 Km from Phnom Penh!

People in my village mostly dropped out of school after primary school.To attend high school, we needed to travel 30km away, and so only a few of us could finish12th grade. So, after middle school, I moved to Preah Vihear Province to continue high school and live in a dormitory run by a Christian organization.

Since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a nurse. There were many people in my village who mocked me about this dream because only rich families could pay the fees for tuition and the many preparation courses. I know this dream is big. I heard many voices from many people. I also know my family's situation: my dad was a charcoal burner, and my mom took care of the house and raised some cows. We didn't have any money left for my education. But for me, I just tried my best to learn from school, even though there was limited material for study. I was always happy and proud of myself, and I told myself not to give up.

When I came to the city, my parents had only 100USD to give me for all my living and studying expenses. But I needed to take three pre-courses before the admission test and needed to pay 150USD per course. At that time, I didn't have money. I asked the teacher to let me study only half of one math course; so I could pay half price. I begged my teacher to agree because I didn't have enough money. Surprisingly, the teacher said that he would allow me to take the three courses for free! Not only that, but he also offered me some money to buy food. I never imagined this would happen to me. Yes, we never knew each other, and he didn’t know my attitude, who I am, or any of my background, but he is so kind to a poor girl like me. I'm so grateful to God!

I rode my bike to school; I remember it was raining, and I wore glasses and could not see. I asked passersby the way from my dorm to school. I prayed to God to help me see the road. It was tough for me; I almost spun out while crossing the main road.The roads were not much like other roads I have seen. Sometimes, it was a red light, and I was still in the middle of the road. In those moments, I asked a security guard or another person to help me because it was my first time in the city.

On the day the exam results were announced; sadly, I didn't see my name on the list. I was so disappointed. I had tried very hard to succeed: riding my bike around 14 km (about 9 miles) back and forth. For the exam paper, I completed everything accurately. Why didn't I pass? I cried out for a long time.

Then suddenly, they updated the list. I saw my name! I was overjoyed and excited. My village found out about it, and they felt so proud of me. And now I am enrolled in my first year of nursing school!

Finally, thank you so much for your organization! Many students applied to CWEF, but finally, I passed. I want to say thank you to the sponsor that gave me a scholarship so that I could continue to make my dream come true and thank you as well for always helping in everything.

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To each of you that supports CWEF's Cambodian scholarship program, THANK YOU! For young people like Sokmean, you are making possible what they've been told their whole lives is impossible.

To sustain all of our programs educating and equipping young people in need like Sokmean, we need to raise $40,000USD by January 1st. Can you help? Visit our GlobalGiving page to donate.

Sokmean

Sokmean helping with ministry

Sokmean getting baptized

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Sep 4, 2023
Shaping Social Policy & Development

By April Chiasson | CWEF Communications Manager

May 8, 2023
The Only Sister

By Panhary Port Puth | Education Program Coordinator, Cambodia

Chanthy (front right) on a recent CWEF outing

Back to School?

After ten years making clothes in a factory in Phnom Penh, Chanthy decided to change jobs. She took a new job as a janitor in a Bible school. But while she cleaned the school, she dreamed of furthering her education. She dreamed of someday having an even better life. Then one day she spoke with her sister-in-law who encouraged Chanthy to pursue her dreams and take the national high school exam.

The suggestion was very daunting. More than a decade had passed since Chanthy last took classes. Back then, her father worked hard cultivating rice, growing vegetables, and catching fish to support his eight children; but in the end, there was only enough money for a few children to further their education, and the family gave the boys priority. So, Chanthy dropped out of school in ninth grade. Instead of finishing high school, she helped her family work at home and in the rice field.

But now many years later, Chanthy decided to follow her sister-in-law's advice. She would try to go back to school. Outside of work, she began intensely studying all the high school subjects she previously missed, including English. Chanthy struggled significantly preparing for the high school exam. But in the end, all her hard work paid off. She overcame all the obstacles she faced and passed!

Pursuing Her Dream

Chanthy next desired to go to college, but she felt anxious about the school fees. With the help of generous people like you and the CWEF scholarship program, Chanthy successfully enrolled at Norton College.

While there, she sadly faced even more hardships. During her second year of college, her father had a severe stroke. Chanthy cared for her ailing father throughout her studies. It was a great loss for Chanthy when he passed away two years later. Still, Chanthy tried to study hard through this, believing that the knowledge she was gaining could help her escape poverty.

Despite her great motivation, Chanthy received acceptable but never excellent grades. But her professors and classmates noted her hard work, kindness, and friendliness. Finally, in 2022, Chanthy achieved one of her dreams and successfully graduated from Norton University with a major in English for Teaching!

Determination

"I always told myself that I would never drop out of university, especially when many challenges in my family happened nonstop: my dad getting very sick, my family needing more money, and my study result being not so good. But I didn’t give up. And one more thing, I am so grateful for the scholarship you gave me that helped me to study, and I didn't want it to go in vain.

I am so grateful to all my beloved people around me that God sent into my life...especially CWEF, who provides me with scholarships. This organization is a big part of what helps, guides, and supports me along the way. Even though I was discouraged at times, I remained motivated...four years later, I finally made it."

Because of previously experiencing her family’s struggles as well as experiencing factory working conditions, Chanthy never stopped pursuing her dream and strongly believes that education is the only thing that will lead her to a better future.

"Seeing my family’s poor situation pushes me to struggle forward more and more in my life...I am always dreaming of living a better life in the future through education."

In the End

Chanthy transformed herself from high school dropout to university graduate and English teacher. She is also a faithful Christian and gifted at working with children. So, in addition to her work, she serves as a Sunday school teacher. Chanthy married in 2021 and is now 33. She is the only one of her sister-siblings to graduate from college.

Thank you so much for choosing to generously equip Cambodian students like Chanthy to fulfill their potential and achieve their dreams of a better life! You are transforming lives!

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