Empower Girls in Cambodia With Education

Sokchea's Journey from Meatball Seller's Daughter to Top National Exam Achiever

In the new year, Sokchea will achieve the second of two childhood goals: to attend university. Her first dream to gain the top A Grade in the National Exam - the most important test for Cambodian students and a crucial factor for admission into universities in the country - was accomplished last month.

Sokchea, 19, was the only Cambodian Children’s Fund student to pass with a perfect score. It is an extraordinary achievement and a well-deserved reward for her years of dedication and hard work.

Sokchea's journey began with a humble background. Her parents worked various jobs, from farmhands to construction laborers, to provide for their three daughters. Sokchea's grandmother raised her in the countryside to provide stability while her parents worked in other provinces. With their ongoing financial struggles, Sokchea's mother heard about CCF and applied for her daughter's admission. Sokchea was accepted into the full Education Program in 2014 when she was 10 years old.

“My mum really focuses on studying because she said that the family is poor and if we go to school, her generation will be the end of the poor family. So, she tries hard to teach us about how powerful education is,” says Sokchea.

Her words of encouragement had the right impact. Sokchea excelled in her studies and quickly became a standout student in her year.

Sokchea developed a passion for science and technology in STEM classes at CCF’s Neeson Cripps Academy high school. She even built a robot coded to draw perfect spirals, which was showcased at the 17th Annual Cambodia STEM Festival in Phnom Penh earlier this year. Sokchea was also an outstanding young CCF leader, taking part in leadership events such as camping and volunteering to help others in her community. She was one of the student organizers of this year’s Annual Youth Leadership Event (AYLE), a CCF program developed and implemented by youth to foster leadership skills, and was also selected to represent CCF and Cambodia at the 4th Model ASEAN meeting in Phnom Penh in February.

She has applied to two universities to study with scholarships. Her preferred choice is the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP), where she hopes to pursue her interest in computers, data, and software.

Sokchea's achievements are a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the opportunities she received through CCF. She also credits her parents' support for her success. Her story is also an inspiration to many young girls in Cambodia who aspire to pursue their education and dreams, especially in STEM fields. With the right opportunities and support, anyone can achieve their goals, just like Sokchea did.

The Community Mural Project was funded as part of the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (EYAA) Program. EYAA - launched in conjunction with the ASEAN Day on 8 August 2018 - is a collaborative program by the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation dedicated to empowering youth and communities across the region. The Community Mural Project aimed to engage youth and encourage participation to improve their own communities while connecting with other cultures. The project took place at CCF’s second kindergarten, which serves vulnerable children living with families on the south side of the former Steung Meanchey garbage dump.

A 60-meter wall at the CCF kindergarten, which opened in late 2022, needed painting to create a more child-friendly environment for young students and enhance the area's overall appearance. 10 students (8 female) from CCF and 10 youth (8 female) from ASEAN countries collaborated with Sean Duffell, a professional mural artist from New Zealand, for the art project in Steung Meanchey. Sean held a design workshop with the 20 youths to brainstorm ideas and themes for the kindergarten mural. The kindergarten students also gave their own fun creative input, some of which was included in the design. The final concept featured the 10 ASEAN countries, incorporating their flags, native animals and fruits, and national landmarks and icons, painted in cartoon style. Handprints were added from kindergarten students and all the youth who took part. Aerosol spray paints and exterior house paint were used to create the mural. Their effort has seen a drab, grey wall transformed at CCF Yeo's Kindergarten into an amazing stretch of eye-catching vibrant colors and designs, creating a bright and beautiful backdrop for hundreds of CCF kindergarten and primary school students and children surrounding the community at playtime.

A stunning giant wall mural designed and painted by youth has transformed a kindergarten school in one of the most impoverished communities in Phnom Penh. The mural will be enjoyed by those children for years to come and provide a lasting legacy of the regeneration of the Steung Meanchey area. Being part of the project has instilled a sense of pride in their area for the CCF students who helped create it.

As well as receiving art education from a professional artist, CCF students who do not have the chance to travel overseas were able to connect with youth from different countries. “It’s been special to meet them and learn more about other ASEAN countries,” said CCF female student Sreynith, 19, in Grade 11. “The best part has been meeting others. All our ideas have come together; everyone has contributed something.”

Links:

• https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/stories-news/off-the-wall-1