Education Cambodia Project #51883

University for Low-Income Students in Cambodia

by Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation

Project Report | Aug 7, 2024
We Couldn't Buy Books

By Pov | CWEF Scholarship Recipient in Cambodia

Pov reading in his university English course

When I was a child, I often felt scared. The other people in my village didn't like me. They didn't like me because of my father: he would often get drunk and do violent things. When I was 4 or 5 years old, my mom and dad decided to divorce. In my dad's absence, my mom worked the land as a subsistence farmer, took care of the household chores, and raised me and my four sisters all by herself. Then many years later when I was 17 years old, my dad died.

My mom worked as a subsistence farmer; so she did not earn money like other people do from their jobs. Therefore, it was challenging for her to fund the education of me and my four sisters. The financial situation caused me and my sisters to miss classes. We also didn't have the money to buy study materials. Like books. Or backpacks. Or other materials.

The next concern for my family was that we didn't have enough money to pay for university. When Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation (CWEF) awarded me a scholarship, my situation got a lot better. It relieved the burden on my family to pay for my school. CWEF pays for my school fees and school supplies every year from the first year until now.

Finally, I am so grateful to CWEF for providing me with a scholarship to help me purchase my study materials and pay for college tuition. I appreciate that the donors support my university education. It is so helpful to all the students that need knowledge who come from from impoverished communities or other places where people do not have enough support.

Today, I am 22 years old, and I'm in my 3rd year at Phnom Penh University of Arts (PPUA) studying visual communication.

Thank you!

- Pov

Items Pov created to sell for a business course

A project Pov created for his visual design course

Discussing class assignments with other students

Working on a visual design project

Pov speaking in church

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Apr 15, 2024
Becoming a Banker

By April Chiasson | Communications Manager

Dyna, CWEF University Scholarship Recipient

Dyna, a Cambodian teenager, dreamed of having a stable job as a banker. She wanted a wide range of professional opportunities. In order to fulfill this dream, she began studying accounting at a university in the city. But now...not far into her studies...she struggled with whether or not she should continue.

Her father had served God as a pastor for almost thirty years in Cambodia where they live; and during those years, his income was irregular and unpredictable. Because of the irregular income, he had to take out loans which he then struggled to pay off completely. Because of her family's debt, Dyna's family could not pay her school fees or support her life in the city where she studied. Dyna saw that whenever she needed money to pay for tuition or buy school supplies or just pay for life in the city itself, it all increased the heavy financial burden on her parents. Should she continue to study when it would put so much stress on her family? "But," Dyna says, "the whole time God never forgot me."

At this point, Dyna got connected to CWEF. After completing the application and interview process, she was eventually selected to receive a university scholarship. This would allow her to continue pursuing her accounting degree!! In addition to the scholarship, Dyna also found a Christian dormitory where she lived for the beginning of college.

"The faith that I have in God has helped me a lot in my life and my living...without God, I also wouldn't be here."

I'd like to thank my scholarship donor because if I didn't have the scholarship to support me, I wouldn't be able to study here because we don't have enough money to study; and we'd also have to spend a lot of money on school fees, textbooks, and other expenses. That is hard for me. Without the donor who gave me my scholarship, my life after 12th grade may have beeen uncertain. I may have found a random job to do. Studying at university is very important. After finishing grade 12, I don't know what (marketable) skills I would have had."

Dyna volunteers her time teaching English and Khmer at her church and also teaching math to children. Someday she wants to educate people in her community about how to budget and invest wisely as well as how to resolve financial hardships and avoid money-related scams.

Dyna says:

"Thank you, God. I prayed to you for my future plan. Thank you for answering my prayers and my family with support by giving me a scholarship from CWEF. I am excited and very happy...The fact that I received a scholarship from CWEF was a blessing in disguise as it helped me to continue my studies at the school I wanted to attend and helped ease my family's burden of paying for school fees and school supplies...I truly thank CWEF and the staff for helping me continue my studies at the university, and God bless CWEF and all the staff."

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THANK YOU to each of you that has sacrificially given to bridge the gap for young people like Dyna! Without your help, she may have never been able to finish pursuing her dream of becoming an accountant. But now, her education will be a blessing not only to her but also to her family and community! It's exciting to see the ripple effect of kindness, isn't it?

Singing at church

Tutoring children in math

Studying accounting at the university

Volunteering with children's activities at church

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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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