We are excited to add several new students to our college scholarship program this year. Generous contributions and ongoing support from our donors allow Cambodian girls to pursue their dream of education and a path to a better life.
“If I graduate from college, I will become a resource for my society, country and my family.” (MaLay)
A scholarship is often the only way for young girls to attend college and get a degree. Many families are simply too poor to pay for their children’s education. Fortunately, many Cambodians realize the benefits of education and that it breaks the cycle of poverty. Therefore the student’s parents agree to support the continuation of learning, accepting that their daughters will leave home and move to the Battambang City. There, they will live in an all-girls dormitory while attending university classes. This is a break from traditional Cambodian culture, in which young girls often must start working in the fields or in factories to support their parents.
“As a divorced woman with four children, my mother had to work hard in many different jobs to support us. Seeing my mother work so hard, my eldest sister quit school after 2nd grade to work and help take care of the younger siblings. My mother and eldest sister were farm workers, from rice seeding to harvesting, and dish washers for weddings. They also worked to help build the Chinese dam/reservoir. My second oldest sister quit school after 7th grade when she found out my mother was borrowing money to pay for our schooling. She worked in a factory and then went to work in Thailand. My younger brother quit school after 6th grade due to my family’s ongoing financial hardships. I am the only child that completed high school because my mother and siblings saw that I was persevering and had potential. My family was determined to do anything for me to finish high school so I would have a better education and earn a Bachelor’s degree.” (Noy)
Families in Cambodia are tightly knit and members support each other. Having an educated daughter with a good job and a good income makes the entire family proud and leads to a better life for all.
All our students have completed High School with good grades and are eager to study for a career. They have a strong desire to continue their education and they are committed to making the most of their time at the university. “College education will help me to have knowledge, ability and skills. In the future I want to be a teacher, because I want to share my experiences to help the next generation.” (Sokneng).
Beside paying for college tuition, the scholarship fund provides each student with a laptop, books, school supplies, health care and funds for groceries.
Nineteen scholarship students now live in the new CVF dormitory in Battambang. They cook their own meals in the dorm kitchen and do their laundry with a washing machine – something none of them had ever used before.
Our students are filled with joy, appreciation and deep gratitude for the opportunity that is provided to them by the Cambodian Village Fund and all the generous donors that support it. We’ll follow their path and wish them all the best.
Our scholarship program depends on donations from people like you. It costs an average of $1,600 per year or $130 per month to support a scholarship student. To make a donation to our scholarship program, or to sponsor a specific student, click the Donate Button below.
Thank You – Saum Arkoun សូមអរគុណ
————————————————————————————————-
Silke White contributed to this blog post. Silke participated in this year’s selection of scholarship students. Their heartfelt letters of applications and impressive academic achievements inspired Silke to write about these young women. Silke directly sponsors one student thanks to generous contributions to Mona’s Fund.