Build dreams! Send Cambodian Students to College!

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration” . Thomas A. Edison

Education can be a slow and steady process. We are so pleased that we have been able to provide the opportunity to our students to work toward their dreams of obtaining a college education.

All of our students are financially vulnerable and they receive little or no financial support from their families. Simply paying for tuition and books would not be enough to help these young people achieve their goals, so we also provide most of our scholars with part time work at our Champey Academy of Arts . Four of them – two boys and two girls – sleep in the classrooms there at night to avoid the considerable expense of renting a room in Phnom Penh.

Genius in our midst…..

Our update today will focus on the inspiring story of Ravun, one of our students. Ravun , age 20 is a Food Science major , she is now in her 3^rd year at the Royal University of Agriculture. Her goal after graduation is to work in a lab.

Ravun has a long history with Kasumisou Foundation, more than 15 years. We have known Ravun since about age 4 as her mother was a member of the first generation of our Aids Patient Family Support Program patients. Amazingly, Ravun’s mother is still with our FSP program and although she is medically frail, she works as a cleaning woman for an expatriate family in Phnom Penh. She is currently nursing a broken arm after a fall from a motorbike. Our FSP stressed education and Ravun was always strongly encouraged to attend school, advice that led to a series of graduations: elementary school, middle school and eventually high school. An exceptional and determined student, Ravun joined our Kasumisou Scholars program at age 17.

Ravun lives at home in a small apartment with her mother in central Phnom Penh. Ravun suffers from a congenital handicap where her legs are uneven in length, which causes her to walk with a severe limp. Despite this challenge, Ravun bicycles to attend University classes every day. The bike ride to the University, which is located outside of Phnom Penh near the Killing Vields, is a considerable distance from the city center . Although we have not measured the exact distance Ravun rides, the distance is about a 45 minute drive by car each way.

Ravun is exceptionally motivated young woman who has a clear vision of the career path that she wants to pursue. This photo, taken just this week , shows a capable young woman, who although faced with daunting life circumstances has chosen many times to pursue success although facing considerable odds. Cambodia is a country where it is estimated that only 40% of all students even attend high school. Rather than just give up and “ accept fate” Ravun has instead chosen to take a path of pursuing excellence and achievement. We cannot yet predict the full extent of Ravun’s future accomplishments, but we are confident that in the context of Thomas Edison’s quote, that “Genius” is in our midst.

The new school year has started and at present we still have 6 students in our program. Several students our original 11 students have now graduated and we are so proud of their achievements.

The generosity of you, our donors, has provided students like Ravun with an opportunity , that but for your support, would have been an impossible dream.

On behalf of our students, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful supporters and we hope that you understand that your donations and continuing support can   truly make a difference in the lives of these young people.

Consider for a moment, all that you have accomplished together, so far..... 

Barbara & Mark Rosasco