University Education for Young Women in Cambodia

Since the program began, our Girls Access to Education Program(GATE/GATEways) has helped as many as 1,500 girl students stay in school. Through education, these at-risk students are able to seek futures that will not only enrich their own lives, but extend to their families and communities. The story below written by Meas, a GATE/GATEway beneficiary, is a wonderful example of how vital support from people like you is for students like Meas to succeed.

My name is Meas. I was born on October 26, 1994 at Kampong Kdey II village, Kompong Kdey commune, Chikreng district and Siem Reap province. I have one younger brother. He quit school in 11^th grade and is now working at a garage near my home. My father’s name is Norng, he is a farmer. My mother’s name is Soy, she sells Khmer noodle in the village. When I was young, my family faced a lot of struggles because my mother had a serious illness in her back bone. My family spent lots of money to cure her illness and never had enough money to support us all. Since my family spent a lot of money on medical treatments, they did not have enough money for my study. I missed class very often because my family needed money, so I had to help my mom sell Khmer noodle in the village. I was thinking about fully dropping out of school, but my parents encouraged me to keep studying because they wanted me to have a promising future. However, it was hard for me to concentrate on my study while thinking about my suffering mom and my family’s situation.

In 2012, when I was studying in the 12^th grade at a high school in Siem Reap province, I was selected to be a recipient of the Girls’ Access to Education scholarship program (GATE). At that time, the program supported me with a monthly stipend (25USD), uniforms, bags, books and study material that helped me to remain in school. After my graduation from high school in 2013, I moved to live in Phnom Penh city in order to attend Royal University of Agriculture. That same year, I also applied and received scholarship support from GATEways scholarship program. As part of the program, I receive monthly stipend, 15kg of monthly rice support, accommodation fee and fee for taking English and computer classes which help me to survive in the city.

I would like to show my deepest gratitude to the donors for supporting me through my studies. My education is so important to me, and without your support I wouldn’t be able to attend university. I am currently working on my thesis and very excited for the future that is ahead. With good grades and a college education, I will be able to find job and be able to support my family.  Thank you.