By Amber Warren | Programs Manager
Hello friends!
The school year here is coming to and end, but the students at PIO are still hard at work!
Did you know PIO's Stung Mean Chey school (SMC) is currently serving more than 752 students? This is incredible! Enrollment at PIO continues to increase each year so you contributions are more vital than ever before and we cannot thank you enough for joining us on this journey, helping children in Cambodia.
Pass rates for English classes have remained consistent over the past three years and as a result of attending PIO, there are now 151 students studying at the high school level and 6 in university.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your generosity means so much to us and to all of the students at PIO. One day, each of them will have a story about how PIO changed their life like Sombo's (pictured) below. <3
Born in 1993, Sombo's education began late because his family was very poor and his education was constantly interrupted because his family had to move in search of work. In 2004, Sambo’s family moved from Phnom Penh to Kean Svay district in the province of Kandal. Before he even had the chance to study his father’s army unit was disbanded and his family had no income due to his father’s unemployment. When Sambo’s family returned to Phnom Penh their situation worsened when his mother became ill; at times they didn’t have any food to eat. Despite being ill, Sambo’s mother attempted to work daily because she was the only one earning money. Sambo had to console his younger brother [from crying] often because they were very hungry. Sambo felt helpless.
“The one thing I could do for my brother was beg for a box of rice from strangers even if they would curse and look down on me.”
Sambo stayed at the pagoda with his brother during the day to beg for food and by the end of the evening they managed to return home with something edible for their mother also. However, this was not sustainable and Sambo’s family had to start collecting cans to sell as scavengers. They also had to pick up the cans and plastic bags from the dirty waters in the dumpsite. It was the only way they could support themselves. In late 2007, Sombo's life changed when he enrolled at PIO.
“The reason why we attended PIO was because Mrs. Phymean climbed up the dump site to visit all of us, the scavengers. She offered my mother a chance for me to go to school for free. From that moment my life really changed. I began Grade 3 and graduated from PIO middle school. I was able to study at a public high school and I started university studies in 2017. I never dreamt that I could finish school or enter University like I have today.”
Sombo's journey to pass the university entrance examination was difficult, but with PIO’s guidance and training, he gained admittance to a good university. Currently, Sombo is enrolled at Pannasastra University and he is employed as a teaching assistant in grade 2 at PIO’s main school in Stung Mean Chey. Sombo has great perseverance and he has utilized all the resources he received wisely. PIO’s founder and staff believe Sombo has a bright future ahead.
Have a beautiful weekend!
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By Amber Warren | Programs Manager
By Amber Warren | Programs Manager
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