University Education for Young Women in Cambodia

Chhorvan Pursues the Path of Public Service

This report shows the success of GATEways in shepherding Cambodian women through college and often into their desired professions. This report likewise offers a glimpse into the trajectory of a GATEways scholar after gradutation, living as an independent woman in Cambodian society. In Cambodia, less than 2% of women have education beyond high school. Help us reverse this destructive trend!

Many GATEways scholars consider learning Korean so they can get a high paying job in Korea and travel abroad. Chhorvan, however, had other aims. Now at the age of 25 years old, living in Nakachhay village in Banteay Meanchey, Chhorvan graduated from GATEways year and a half ago with a degree in Korean language from the University of Banteay Meanchey.

Chhorvan was almost forced to drop out of high school, because her family was extremely poor. But with the financial support from Lotus Outreach and through CWCC facilitation, she was able to finish high school through a GATE scholarship and continue on to study Korean language in university as a GATEways scholar.

Chhorvan shared why she decided to learn Korean language: “My house is near a Korean organization. Sometimes I volunteered at the organization to help Koreans with the development of villages such as building houses and digging wells for the poor. I had spoken with them and learned about Korean culture and language and that made me want to learn Korean.”

In the fall of 2014, after Chhorvan graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Korean, she learned from a senior student that Kyung Sin (Cambodia) Corp, an electronic company in Kandal province, needed a Khmer employee who could speak Korean fluently and had computer skills. She applied for the position and had an interview in Korean language. When she applied for position, CWCC helped review the application and provided tips on how to conduct an interview. A day later, she was selected and offered to work as a full-time employee with a starting salary of 200 USD per month.

At the same time, Chhorvan also took an entrance exam to be a public servant. Chhorvan desired to work in the public sector, because she believes the benefits of the public sector, though lower pay, are better than the private sector. She said, “I want to work as a civil servant in public sector, because I think that such work is sustainable…. [Also] I can work in the region that I prefer. I wish to work in my hometown, near my family.”

Chhorvan took the entrance exam to be a public servant after she saw an announcement that the district hall in Banteay Meanchey was hiring public servants and offering the exam. She said she expected to fail the exam, for it was very difficult, competitive and apparently many applicants who pass the exam are rich applicants who can bribe the committees that select civil servants.

After working for three months at her private sector job, Chhorvan received the notice that she passed the civil servants’ exam. She informed CWCC immediately to get career advice on how to proceed. Ultimately, Chhorvan decided to work as an administrator at Ochrov district hall. Now she works there and receives a salary of 130 USD per month.

Chhorvan said cheerfully: “I did not think that I having just graduated, that I could get 2 jobs already. I am now proud to have a job in my country with the knowledge that I have learned.” She added that her mother is also happy because her only daughter can work near home and look after her when she’s sick. In addition to her second job in public service, Chhorvan has been accepted to continue her master degree in general management at Banteay Meanchey University.”

She deeply thanks Lotus Outreach, CWCC and their supporters for the assistance in helping educate her and further guiding her through her career path.

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