On our last trip to Cambodia, one of our favorite days was visiting the homes of some of our new scholarship students.
It was a wonderful day – a profoundly enriching experience. – Silke
Meeting the students in person, at the dormitory, for the first time had already been a delight. What we knew about them, so far, was what they had written in their application. There, they spoke about their school grades, parents, siblings and home life. Their parents are teachers, rice farmers or vegetable sellers. Younger siblings were still at home and in school. A common story we heard was that the older brothers or sisters had dropped out of school before Grade 10 to help earn income. Some of the siblings had moved to the city to find employment. Others had become rice farmers, like their parents.
We asked the students if they would take us to their village to visit their homes and meet their parents. We noticed that, even though they had just moved to the city 3 weeks ago, they were already missing their families and the countryside. This special day was an opportunity for them to go home.
The drive to Prey Touch took less than an hour. Our students kept us entertained with stories about their village and dreams for the future. They were surprisingly knowledgeable about the world beyond Cambodia, especially about the United States.
The students’ simple homes were neatly kept, with yards swept and sometimes rice laying out in the sun to dry. We met parents, grandparents and younger family members. As we arrived, their families greeted us with shy smiles and grateful gestures. The yards filled soon with younger siblings and curious toddlers, too young to attend school.
The Cambodian grace was evident in every quiet thank you and gentle nod we received. – Silke
We took lots of photos to capture the moment and Darren flew his drone, gathering everyone around to watch the footage afterwards. Seeing their homes and fields from above thrilled everyone, adding a splash of adventure to our visit.
Visits like these connect us to the lives and hopes of our students and their families in a deeply personal way. – Nancy
The rural community of Prey Touch doesn’t offer many income opportunities. Jobs available revolve mostly around education, agriculture, casual labor and small home businesses like food kiosks or produce sales.
Your donations bring children in Prey Touch Commune better access to learning and opportunities for a brighter future.
