Help keep a Cambodian Music and Dance School open

"Now, I truly enjoy Khmer Traditional Music since it helps me live a happier life. And I believe this talent will allow me to make much more money to assist my family in the future," Sok added proudly and optimistically. Sok dropped out of school in sixth grade owing to his difficult family situation, but he can now look forward to a brighter future after joining SCC Khmer Traditional Music Centre in 2017. When asked about his progress in Khmer traditional music talents, he boldly tallied the number of songs he could perform, which totalled more than twenty. When asked about his overall earnings, he stated that each time he goes to play with his team, he may make 80,000 Riel (20 USD), and he often performs four to five times each month. Aside from that, he constantly performs at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, where he earns $120 every month. Sok currently possesses a skill that allows him to earn a consistent income, although a little one.

At the Khmer traditional music centre of SCC today, Sok is playing an important role in assisting the teacher. He helps teach other young classmates who come to practice and learn in case the core teacher is absent or busy. He advises and encourages those young students to practice the skill daily at home because this skill is required to learn by heart. When asked about what helps you learn well in Khmer traditional music, he said, “It is important to listen to your instructor carefully during the class, and it is more crucial to practice at home.” This encouragement is always said by Sok to his classmates in Khmer traditional music.

“I committed to become an instructor in Khmer traditional music in the future,” Sok said confidently to the SCC staff interviewer. With his strong determination and his current numbers of skills in performing Khmer traditional music, we can see his bright future will come to him.

From the support of all philanthropists around the world to the Khmer traditional music through SCC so far, it has been assisting a lot of people who are underprivileged like Sok as a good example. Sok has changed himself into one who has professional skills and now can earn some to support his family, too. He has a clear goal of becoming a professional instructor in traditional Khmer music which shows us that support is fundamental in changing disadvantaged people’s lives.