Education for 300 Urban Poor Children

Back to School!

In 2011, Sitha's family left their village in northwest Cambodia to find work in Phnom Penh where they settled in a slum area. Without an education, her father worked as a guard and her mum became a garment factory worker. However, their combined low salaries were not enough to send the children to school so an NGO started to support the kids' education. Sitha was thrilled to have the chance to study but before she could even start classes, that NGO had to suddenly close its project.  By God's grace, many of the children were referred to Sunshine.  Sitha is now 15 and studying grade 8 this year.  She loves to learn and is not afraid to ask for help. 

“I am so happy that I can re-start my studies and I really would like to thank Sunshine for accepting me, my brother, and my family as part of Sunshine’s family,” Sitha said.  "I want to be an engineer and support my family’s needs; I have had many challenges but I will not give up my education.  And I want to say Thank You to all the Sunshine donors and supporters who keep us in their prayers."

Helping families shoulder their burdens

Since July, 53 new families were accepted into the program, bringing the total number of families to 119. With the goal of building self-reliance, the parents actively participate in Parent Days by sharing ideas, experiences and knowledge with each other.

Sor Ratha, 45, left her village 13 years ago to find work in the city.  She and her husband, along with their 8 children, live in a small hut with thatch walls.  Her first job as a housecleaner didn't pay enough to support her family.

"When I stopped my cleaning job, our whole family started to collect recyclable materials.  We made just enough to survive, but if any of us got sick we couldn't do anything about it.  Sometimes we didn't make any money at all.  And besides trying to feed 8 children, we had to pay rent on the land where we built our small house."

Sunshine supports Ratha's family with a monthly food subsidy plus the education expenses of her children so that they are motivated to keep up their schooling.  The parents also receive training in good parenting skills, microenterprise development, and have joined a savings group.

 Ratha says, "I cannot describe my feelings - I am extremely happy for what Sunshine has done for my family, especially my children. The burden on my husband and I is relieved because Sunshine is providing for their education and is also teaching us life skills.  I don't have anything but gratitude.  Thank you so much for working with us.   And thank you to all the donors.  My dream is to see my children access a higher education and better life and become good persons in society by helping others in need.  I also want to learn more cooking skills so I can open a small food business."