Student Testimonial 1: Ratana
Hi, my name is Ratana. My father passed away at the Provincial Hospital when I was 8 years old, leaving me as an orphan. I was fortunate enough that one of the Medical Doctors took me in and allowed me to stay with him and his family. I stayed with him until I was 12 years old. Although I was appreciative of their generosity, I never felt that I was included in their family so decided to leave and stay at the NGO named “Friends International”.
Although Friends International provided well, I was eager to gain an education. After being sent to an organisation near the Thai Border, I quickly realised I was not happy and arranged to move back to Siem Reap with a friend that I had previously met.
At that time in my life, life was exceptionally difficult. Food was scarce and there were many nights that I would go to bed hungry. To give me a means to live, I decided to collect recyclables in and around Siem Reap like many others. Daily, I would scour the streets sorting through piles of garbage in the hopes of collecting as many cans, bottles or paper as possible. I would not stop until I had enough money to provide me with the most basic of needs.
One day I heard about an organisation named Touch a Life (TAL) that provided food for the less fortunate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I welcomed their generosity and their warm meals. It was at TAL that I met a man named Kosal. Kosal managed an organisation called “One Life, One Future” (One Life). He was very interested in my life, if I was being educated, if I had support and ultimately, if I needed help with anything. This is when my life changed.
One Life provided adequate accommodation, education, 3 meals a day and support for less fortunate children. Kosal asked if I would be interested in joining the program. I was elated that I was going to be given the opportunity to gain an education like so many others. It is from that day that I have never looked back.
One Life has given me the opportunity to feel accepted and be a part of a family. Something that my life had always been missing. It has provided me with a safe, stable environment and support that I never thought was possible. To feel like I am equal to others and loved has changed my life.
I am working hard to finish my high school certificate and hope to have this completed in 2021. I aspire to work in International Relationships and become an Ambassador. I dream of travelling around Cambodia, encouraging our future generations and letting them know that anything is possible given support and education.
Student Testimonial 2: Saing Theang
Well firstly, I would like to tell you a little bit about my history. My name is Saing Theang. I’m 24 years old and I was born in 1995. I lived in Chikreng Village, Siem Reap Province, it is 65 km from town. I have 3 brother’s & 1 sister and I am the youngest in my family.
When I was 6 years old I started at Chikreng Primary School and when I finished at this school it was the end of my schooling. This was because my family didn’t have the capability for me to go to High school. So in 2006 I decided to leave home and go to Siem Reap by myself to find a job and a place to stay. The first job I had, for a year and a half, was as a security guard. I used part of my salary to pay for a room and food and the other part for English class after work.
In 2013 I met Mr Som Kosal and Mr Vin Kibblewhite. I found out that their organisation Life Project (now One Life One Future) supported Cambodian students through School by providing accommodation, food, school fees, medical costs, uniforms. It’s was such a very good opportunity and chance to start my education again. In 2013 they made it possible for me to go to High School. After that I attended Paul Debrule International School training to following my dream to have a job in hospitality. Paul Debrule is an international school specialising in education in tourism, cooking and hotel management. I joined with this School for two years and I choose Hotel & Tourism Coed in academic years 2016- 2018. Within a few weeks of graduating from this school I got a job with Lub D Hotel. I worked there for a year gaining experience and now I have moved on and work for Golden Asia International Tour. This is my story.
When I look back at my previous life before Life project it is so very different from the life I have now. I gained an education which I would never have had, I now have a good job as a result of that, I have more social skills, I have skills to manage my own life and I have good relationships with other people in the Tourism industry. It was an amazing chance to be sponsored and I would like to say thank you so much with many hugs for this help that changed my life.
Student Testimonial 3: Vuthy
My family and life before I joined One Life One Future was very difficult. I could only go to school 3 or 4 days a week as I often had to work to help my family. This was affecting my education and I was very limited in my ability to study. It was a big change for me when I joined One Life One Future.
I could go to school like other kids, I had food, clothes and safety. I no longer had to work hard to feed myself, everything was provided by One Life and I only had to focus on my education. I had never had that before.
I now have a good school with good teacher’s, at home I have Kosal (the director) who motivates me and helps me to work out what career I aspire to have. He helps me to know what my dreams are and then to follow these dreams.
After being sponsored by One Life I was so very happy. One Life is really helpful it helps children who would never have a chance to have an education to go to school and achieve their dreams.
My dream is one day to be a Khmer Professor. I want to teach our Khmer language, to empower a younger generation and help them to be successful. I want to them to be proud and value Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder.