Future Change Makers
As we continue to install clean water systems into the schools around Kampong Chhnang, we also spend more invaluable time with the children. In the West, in developed nations, it is almost a birthright to dream as big as we want to and pursue those dreams throughout our lives. We are told that “if we can dream it, we can do it”, that “we can be anything we want to be”, that “the world is our oyster”. For these kids, their lives are determined by the limitations of the village they were born into and by the jobs of their parents. For most of these kids, they will continue the cycle, growing up to be farmers or fishermen, not because they want to, but because that is the only option left. Some of these children do not complete secondary school (high school) and only the rare few get the chance to go further with their education. That is why we know how important it is for us to support the kids that want to pursue something bigger. As Nelson Mandela put it “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
In Kampong Chhnang City, just across the street from the main hospital where WAH’s office is, sits Bright Hope Institute (BHI). BHI is a local institution, approved by the Cambodian Government. Bright Hope Institute opened its doors in 2006 and offers specialised tertiary education in Community Enterprise, Agriculture and Rural Development, Business Management, Public Administration and Education Management. When students graduate from BHI, they have Associate degrees or Bachelor degrees in one of the following 11 specialisations:
General Management
Finance and Banking
Public Administration
Economics
Accounting
Agronomy,
Rural Development,
Mathematics,
Education Management
English Language
Khmer Literature
For WAH, education is a key area which we believe enhances our work in the community, by giving young people the opportunity to make more of their lives, and also help their families break out of a poverty trap and flourish. Bright Hope Institute was the best choice for WAH to work with as we explored options for investing in the future generations of Kampong Chhnang.
YouTuber Carli Bybel, used her social media platform as a force for good, by connecting to caring followers across the world, in support of disadvantaged young women. Carli designed and sold bracelets, and from the proceeds, she was able to raise enough money to kickstart WAH’s BHI Scholarship Program. BHI Scholarships cover all that is needed for a good quality education and a conducive study environment. Scholarship cover school fees for 4 years of a bachelor’s degree program at BHI, books and stationery, safe, clean and comfortable dormitories, and living expenses.
As we started to see the potential for the Scholarship Program, WAH worked closely with BHI to carefully examine applicants’ backgrounds, study motivation and aspirations. Just like the western world, women are overlooked and not given the same opportunities as men, and have expectations to raise the families and support their husbands. We chose to support the young women of Kampong Chnnang with their dream of helping to financially support their families through professional employment after graduation. We were able to identify young talented women who will become major contributors to their community in the future. WAH currently supports 32 young women at BHI, in addition to two other orphanage girls studying in Phnom Penh.
WAH and BHI can now support future change makers of Kampong Chhnang. For the first time ever, young women from farming and fishing communities have hope and control of their bright futures in their own hands. The scholarship started in 2017, and our first intake of 32 students will graduate with their degrees by end 2021.
STUDENT STORIES
SANN KESEY
Life could not be any harder for Sann (photo available), with no other option but to dig for insects for food when her parents passed away. Hunger & extreme poverty, however, did not break her spirit. When paths crossed with WAH, Sann was in an orphanage and was feeling hopeless about her future prospects. Sann had worked hard to earn a place at Phnom Penh University, but was unable to pay the tuition fees. WAH’s scholarship proved to be a life changing - Sann is now one of the top students majoring in architecture. With access to quality education, Sann’s future is now very much in her own hands.
LY TEYNOES
Ly’s life & future ambitions have changed beyond recognition since she received the scholarship and started the 4 year dedicated course. The scholarship lets her plan for big ambitious dreams and meaningful contribution to the local economy, instead of a hard manual life in the fields like most young women in her village.
KAATH SOPHEAK, BSc accounting
“The place of my birth lacks the most basic resources. I’ve always wanted to help develop my own community and realized that the first step is to expand my knowledge. This scholarship gives me the chance to do so. I know that after I finish my studies, I will go back and help the people in my community,”
HEL VOLEAK
“I was interviewed and had to take an exam when applying for this scholarship, It was competitive, but everything I did was worth all the hard work. Aside from the study, I’m happy to experience Kampong Chhnang city life for the first time. My family is happier because they know I’m in a safe place. I’m studying Public Administration - I hope in the future to work for the government to help develop my own community.”
2020 Update
Dr. Rany has been outstanding since taking over as ED at WAH at the beginning of the 2019, taking the lead in every day operations in Kampong Chhnang. She has taken over all medical work, in partnership with PHD, KKH and Mount Alvernia hospitals. She has transformed the management of WAH’s water systems, and worked hard on the education scholarships at BHI. This year has been tough because of Covid-19, but it has given WAH chance to consolidate, spend more time on our water systems, including schools and health centres, and further build our strong relationship with PHD, even raising funds for the Covid-19 response, thanks to the help of The Good Exchange. The team is happy and working hard, and we hope to re-start our training with KKH and Mount Alvernia next year. Having 20 trainers from our Train-the-Trainer program allows us to carry on refresher training.
