THE CAMBODIA EDUCATION FUND
The Cam Fund
SCHOLAR STORIES
Vocational Scholarships
Meet Thay Tear. He is the recepient of one of our first scholarships. His parents divorced and both went their own way leaving Thay Thear to his own devices. He was taken in and supported by SOID's orphanage. Thay Thear attended SOID's Veal Village School and the local state school. He is incredibly positive, cheerful, thoughtful, creative, and artistic.
He decided that he would like to get barber training. Thay Thear now has a job in the barbershop where he was trained in Phnom Penh, he lives there and he is happy. SOID is very proud of him and are glad that they have been able to guide him to a successful adulthood.
Secondary Scholarships
From a Globe Media Asia News 2018 Article:
For many school-age children in Cambodia, a life lived on the edge of poverty forces their families to put their kids to work as soon as they’re strong enough to pull their weight. Girls in particular continue to suffer from deep-seated cultural biases that see education as a man’s prerogative – young women are often pulled from school to shoulder the burden of domestic labour and, once they reach their late teens, marry. And because Cambodia still lacks a strong social safety net, the choice between subsistence and school is no real choice at all. For families struggling to scrape by, “free education” costs them dearly.
Cambodia’s public education system has long been condemned for a raft of informal fees imposed on students by teachers to offset their notoriously low wages.
“Driven by extremely low wages and a culture of bribery, teachers usually demand that students pay an extra fee to attend school – a fee that the majority cannot afford, especially the disabled and most vulnerable children,” the foundation reported to the Human Rights Council. “A 2007 report by the Cambodian NGO Education Partnership revealed that the inability to pay informal fees was the most common reason parents gave for their children dropping out of school.”
For many rural families that have tilled the soil for generations, though, the benefits of a complete primary and secondary education are still difficult to grasp.
Piseth
Srey Mom
Srey Aun
Phana
University Scholarships
Words from Kolbot - the man in the white coat!
My name is EA Kolbot. I'm 25 years old. I'm a medical student in RCAF in Phnom Penh. I'm so excited to write this report about how I feel that I am going to study year 8 (that is the last year of my study in school including training in the hospital). Let's thinking back, when I was in high school and graduated with a good mark, yes it already seven years till now! The time ran so fast and taught me a lot of things with university life and training to become a doctor in the hospital. There is a lot of work to do in the daytime and duties at night time. It's a bit tiring, but this hardwork exchanges much knowledge. In school and hospital the Professor, doctors including senior give a lot of advice and experiences, like how to be a role model a good doctor in the future. They try to encourage me and other students. The first year until now (year7) I do the same thing: study hard, work hard, and pass the exam year by year. So this year 7 is more special than any other year passed because this year, I did a lot of important work. I finished my Thesis defense, created my own project to help people in my village, and specifically I studied an Ultrasound as well. All of these results are supported by my school ABC's and Rice, my family, and especially all my sponsors. I'm getting ready to study year 8, and I'm ready to study the last year of university and hospital. I'm prepared to have the final examination and National Exam. In the end I would like to say thank you for always staying, being kind and supporting me all the times I needed. I promise I will try my best and especially my best for the last year
"This scholarship is very helpful for my present and future education because it helps me to build my knowledge and as well as my major of International Relations to continue processing my skills. I want to be journalist, so I hope this major will continue to building my relations and connections with my goal as journalism because it is all related to the major that I will meet and study. This scholarship is not only help succeeding my goal, but it gives me the great opportunity to meet new colleges who come from other provinces, variety of backgrounds, many interesting stories and of courses their talents, so that I can shared with each other. Talking is not just saying something that is just for entertainment, but with my group, we talk mostly about our problems in Cambodia, and find out solutions. Because of this golden chance, I feel connected and networking with all friends and teachers."
Words from Sokley Keb - Recipient of University Scholarship
Words from Sotheach Unn - Recipient of University Scholarship
It is unbelievable that I could get this scholarship support from Cambodian Education Fund, and it turned out to be a huge surprised when I first got this scholarship. Currently, this scholarship plays an important role in my university life. It helps to pay off my school tuition every term and the most importantly is it pushes me to study harder and harder every single day. It is not only trying to maintain the good GPA, but I study hard for my scholarship sponsor, my life, family and the whole country. Slowly, this scholarship support helps me to grow into a better person because every day I am learning something new, meeting new people, and exchanging different ideas. Without this scholarship, I will not grow this much and my understanding of the society and other things will be limited. I am really appreciating this scholarship support and I’m so thankful for helping me to go this far in life. I still keep walking forward because this scholarship is a huge power to encourage me. Thank you so much!
Words from Veasna - Recipient of University Scholarship
I do not know how to describe how I feel about the CEF! I was so excited to have CEF as my supporter through this school year because I know that not many students have this valuable opportunity like me. CEF have completed my first step of my dream because I have shown those men who usually look down at me that I am in university to accomplish my dreams and help my community and my country. More importantly, I empower other girls in my village that girls are capable of do anything to follow their dreams. Therefore, CEF not only fund me through my education but guide me to the right direction. By checking my transcript every semester providing me a warm comfort that my family is always stand by me to care of me because I have been learning by myself since I was small. My three sisters had finished only up to grade 5, so they cannot understand what I have done through my school year because my mother could afford them to go to school after my father died. Therefore, CEF is the bridge for me to reach my big dreams, and break this chain of poverty for my family and my country after I graduate from university. I thank CEF so much for bringing this great gift to help students in need!
Words from Vanna Ly - Recipient of University Scholarship
It is an honor to receive this scholarship. This scholarship really means a lot to me because it aids me in pursuing a stronger future for myself which is to be a civil engineer. Receiving this scholarship has helped lift the financial burden off my family. My family financial situation will not able to let me continue my higher education so getting this scholarship benefit greatly with financial aid. Receiving this scholarship is not just receiving money, it tells me I am as seen as having potential for the future of our society. I will make sure that I will give back to the community and do my best to make it better. I been working hard since high school just to be here and without this scholarship I will not able to make it. I been pushing myself so hard and do anything I possibly can to reach and move beyond the requirement. This scholarship made a better person and an inform, educated citizen. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to improve my learning and life through the education by receiving a scholarship from CEF.