Thanks to Child Sponsorship, young women in places like Cambodia can experience the profound and transformative effects of education. This impact is seen both on an individual level and at the community level. One such transformation is the story of SreyMe, a 14-year-old student in the 9th grade who serves as a youth and teacher volunteer in her community.
From Timid to Courageous
Like many families in Cambodia, SreyMe’s struggled with financial hardship. Farming is the primary means of food for the majority of Cambodians, and with that comes significant challenges: agricultural limitations, food shortages, the ongoing economic crisis, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19, leading to debt.
SreyMe shares that she faced social and academic hurdles. “Before enrolling in the FH program, I was a timid child who lacked courage and participation in community activities. I tended to isolate myself rather than engage in social settings. Additionally, my academic performance was subpar, leading to further discouragement and a desire to drop out of school to assist my hardworking parents,” SreyMe recalls. “I felt a deep sense of empathy towards them, witnessing how they struggled to provide for the family.”
SreyMe’s family was experiencing severe financial strain. “Due to our family’s limited budget, we had to put in great effort to earn income, but it was still not enough to cover our daily living expenses. This financial strain meant my parents couldn’t afford new clothes and study materials for me and my sister, resulting in unsatisfactory academic performance.”
Facing Emotional Turmoil
Along with the financial hardships SreyMe and her family faced emotional struggles. “These challenges not only depleted our daily income but also had a negative impact on our overall happiness, pushing us into debt,” notes SreyMe.
So dire was their situation that SreyMe’s parents were often forced to migrate to Thailand just to find work. That meant SreyMe and her sister were on their own while they were gone. “The inability to provide financial assistance to improve my family’s situation weighed heavily on me, hindering my ability to focus on my studies. Observing my family’s struggles, I constantly questioned myself about additional measures I could take to contribute towards our well-being and secure a prosperous future, such as dropping out of school.”
Life Change Came Through an FH Club Meeting
SreyMe reached a turning point when she became involved with FH. After attending a community meeting, she was inspired by what she learned. Selected to become a teacher volunteer for the local children’s club, she knew the role would be a catalyst for change and personal growth.
“After participating in a meeting organized by the FH team, I was chosen to serve as a teacher volunteer at a children’s club in my community. Through training sessions conducted by FH, I gained insights into my responsibilities as a teacher volunteer, methods to engage children in clubs, and various educational techniques. I expressed my excitement, recognizing the value of this knowledge for myself and my family,” she explains. It was an opportunity that would mark the start of her transformation and impact on her local community.
Building Resilience Through Consistency
FH Cambodia’s consistent home visits helped SreyMe build resilience. “My parents have motivated me to assist in teaching children at the club and to focus on my studies. They frequently participated in FH-organized events such as children’s club meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and village development gatherings,” she shares.
SreyMe isn’t the only one who flourished. Her sister also blossomed, taking part in training for photography and letter writing, while her parents benefited from regular visits from FH staff members. They shared encouragement and insights on livestock farming and cultivation. “With the new knowledge gained, my parents have made efforts to implement these practices,” SreyMe says. “Engaging in FH activities has been a transformative experience for me,” she adds.
Prioritizing Education and Envisioning the Future
Thanks to the support of FH and child sponsors, as well as parents and community leaders, “There has been a notable shift in recognizing the importance of education, with parents actively encouraging their children to attend school,” SreyMe observes. This has led to positive transformations throughout the community.
Determined to use her experiences and education to impact future generations, SreyMe shares, “My parents and I have made education a top priority. They continuously motivate my sister and me to excel academically.”
As for her future… “I would like to see other people in my community be in good health and refrain from migrating to Thailand or any other destinations. I would like to see myself with a good job. I’d love to become a teacher and guide children and youth in my community, as well as in other communities, to contribute towards community development,” SreyMe says.
She aims to deter youth from idling away their time, neglecting family responsibilities, or dropping out of school. Her dream SreyMe shares is, “I envision a future where every child can prosper, and advocates for community development initiatives that prioritize children’s education.”
The Transformative Power of Child Sponsorship
Educational support for young women helped transform SreyMe from a timid student struggling academically into a confident leader and teacher-to-be. Her story is one of many that shows how impactful Child Sponsorship is in supporting communities and changing lives. All young women deserve an education, and with Child Sponsorship, sponsors help give children and youth like SreyMe hope and a future.
