University Education for Young Women in Cambodia

Somnang who is twenty-one years old, has been supported by LO’s GATE program since 8^th grade. Somnang attended a skills training program in Siem Reap and was hired directly after completing it. She will now be continuing her education with the support of our tertiary education program, CATALYST. Below is an interview with Somnang that was conducted by Raksmey Var, our Country Representative in Cambodia.

“My name is Somnang and I’m 21 years of age.  My village is at Sonikum, about half an hour out of Siem Reap town. I was supported through high school by Lotus Outreach’s Girls’ access to Education program since the eighth grade. With assistance from Lotus Outreach International was able to eventually reach and pass grade 12.”

“I did my training from at the cooking department in Sala Bai, a college that provides free residential training to prepare Cambodian youth from poor backgrounds to get work in professions sought by Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism based industries at Siem Reap. I chose to train as a Chef’s assistant. Once I finished my training I applied for and began working at the Heritage Hotel in Siem Reap and I’ve been working here for 5 months.”

We asked Somnang  - When you were in the 12^th grade what inspired you to continue your education? Somnang responded, “I was told about the program by the scholarship program officer and assisted by the program to find out where to go, how to make the application. LO really did everything for me.”

Are you happy having a job at this hotel as a cook? Do you enjoy cooking? - “Yes and yes!” How about your family? “My family is happy and hopeful"

“Actually, my dream is to become a teacher and while I’m happy to have this part time job as it helps me support my family and pay for my further study, my main aim is completing a 4-year Bachelor in Chemistry and bio-chemistry! For the past 5 months I’ve been working at this Hotel and studying for a 4 year degree at the same time. I begin at University at 7am and until till 12 noon. Then I start work at 2pm and until 11pm, every day! My salary supports my family and my studies.”

Once we heard that this bright young woman was planning on going to college to obtain a chemistry degree we wanted to help in whatever way possible. It turns out that the timing couldn’t have been more perfect as we just had a few spots open up in our CATALYST program. We explained to her that we would be happy to include her in the tertiary support program. This news delighted Somnang.

Along with Somnang, we are working very hard to ensure that we follow up with all the scholars we’ve supported in high school so that none of them fall through the cracks. While Somnang has managed to succeed up to this point, the CATALYST program offers a lot of material, psychological support, soft skills, English and IT which benefit tertiary scholars a great deal and carry them onward and upward.

To conclude, Somanag expressed “I am very thankful for the support from LO that brought me here today. I would not have even finished high school without LO. I’d like to wish you all good health and success in your work.”