Age: 21
From: Prey Veng Province
Major: English Literature
School: Build Bright University

My mother died from a disease when I was 10 years old. My father is still alive and he is a farmer. I have 7 siblings and my old grandmother who lived with us. When my mother got sick, my dad sold part of his farmland to pay for my mother’s medical expense. Unfortunately, my mother still died, and we were left desperately poor. Worst of all, we no longer felt our mother’s warmth. My older brothers were forced to leave school in eighth or ninth grade to work and earn some income to help the family. My older sister, my younger sister and myself were still in school, because we were not really suited for work yet. I relied on several organizations in order to finish my elementary school education. I went to stay at the Buddhist Temple when I started my middle school. Then My grandmother asked a local organization providing middle school education to accept me and my sister. Later we were accepted into the organization. Despite these efforts, I dropped out high school.
I found a job as a construction worker. I earned very little and most of the time I suffered from hunger. Then, I had a traffic accident that left my femur broken and I could no longer work. I was distraught, but this accident made me realize the power of education. From then, only education could help me find a better job and bring me out of poverty.

My organization’s manager kindly lent me some money for my 12th grade enrollment application fee. He promised that he’d help apply for a higher education scholarship with Global Children. Fortunately, I was given a scholarship. Without them, I’d have no possibility of attending college.

I decided to choosing English Language as my major. I believe that becoming an English professor will offer me dignity, and a respected career. I could also help society in international relations. In the future I want to be a good teacher because I like teaching children and others. Moreover, I want to run an organization that will help my family and society. I am deeply grateful for Laura’s support, providing a warm shelter, enough food, higher education, monthly allowance, and her deep love.