Child Sponsorship Success Story

If one thing is certain, it is that meaningful change requires nothing less than ambition, commitment, and fortitude.  Hoeurng Piseth embodies each of these elements and is on the verge of becoming Sao Sary Foundation’s first university graduate.  

According to national statistics and trends Piseth was not meant for a university education.  He is among Cambodia’s rural poor, “predisposed” to drop out of school long before college.  Furthermore, his father was unconvinced that an education would help him amount to much and wanted him trade in school for a job.  Piseth defied both his father and the statistics; he moved out of his home to live in pagodas so that he could complete is secondary schooling.  It was when he began living with the monks that SSF came to know of Piseth’s uncompromising resilience.  He was determined to go to college and SSF was determined to provide him with the means to get there. 

In 2007, after SSF found him a sponsor, Piseth enrolled at Norton University in Phnom Penh. Piseth routinely wakes up at 4 am to practice his English with foreigners at the Royal Palace.  He has also spent time volunteering with the professor who runs the university’s database management system.  Now, Piseth has a part-time job, at ADS Company as a graphic designer where he earns 85 USD per month.  Piseth has not had much leisure time, but he accepts this because he know that in order to find a good job and support his family, he needs to take advantage of every opportunity that enables him to gain and hone the skills he needs.  His commitment has proven fruitful. On November 11^th, 2011, he will complete his degree in Computer Science with a focus on web development.

Having the drive to succeed and dreaming of a life full of opportunities are not qualities that distinguish Piseth as the exception.  He, in fact, characterizes the children of SSF and of the surrounding community.  Sao Sary Foundation exists because of our belief that every child has the capacity to change their own lives as well as be the catalyst of change in the lives of their families and their communities.  Today, Piseth’s father is proud of his son’s accomplishment and is happy that he pursued his education.  Piseth’s resilience, courage of conviction and ultimate success is a testament to the strength of Cambodia’s marginalized youth and demonstrates what can be achieved when we – sponsor, organization and student – invest in and commit to doing whatever it takes for them to reach their potential.