Dearest Lovely Parent

Kampong Thom, 10th July 2010,


How are you both? Firstly, I would like to acknowledge your kindness having given me the chance to attend school since I was young. Especially, mom works extremely hard and would never take any days off, having the cheapest food, saving every penny so that I could afford sending me to school. I would never disregard your generosity. I sincerely ‘Thank You’ for everything you’ve done for me! I totally understand that, you have been working so hard. However I honestly have no choice, I must continue on my studying, I couldn’t give it up for a job since primary school like others to feed their parents. I really don’t want the kind of jobs which you both have been having. But I have committed to study hard, putting all my heart and soul into my studies in an expectation that I will be offered a very good job upon my completion of studies. I hope to help our whole family with a much better living style than what we’re having nowadays.

Even though I am looked down by other people on my capacity due to my appearance, nevertheless I will never alter my goal and even work harder to reach my dreams. Although, they are keeping their eyes on my ability and mock back at me when I couldn’t make it through the national examination, I am determined to even trying harder to turn all my dreams to fruition. Every morning I would hear the sarcasms from others: “….you, don’t study hard, your parents work too hard for you why don’t you give up your studies and help them, your parents can’t support you for the rest of your life. You are a girl, what’s the point of you to have a higher education. How can you study far away from home? Where will you live in the city, living in pagoda like boys would be impossible..Girls can never have a good job, just get married and look after the kids. Beside you are too poor, too short and unattractive so who would offer you a job?...”

All of these ironic words have kept inside my mind, penetrated into my heart and soul for the last few years. And in the worst case I was hopeless and helpless, I used to hate people, always wanted to be left alone. I had always have negative thoughts regarding my appearance, I was hesitated of whether continuing on my studies, I couldn’t find out the way to achieve my dreams, there was no improvement at all in my daily performance as days passed by, and as the result I couldn’t pass my national exam. Mother and father, I would like to apologies that you have been disappointed because of me. I am so sorry.

Parents, please don’t wait for me at this weekend as I am taking a two days short course ‘Attitude Forum’ that is exceptionally important for the improvement of my life. It’s like I’m awaken from the negative thoughts that I used to have. I’ve learnt the way of becoming a successful person. I am now an open minded and optimistic person, happily accepted communication from others, and wouldn’t want to be left alone like I used to. I value myself, and of everything else I possess. I am now determined to make my dreams happen, enter and join a new world which I had never knew before. I want to live as a bird where they can fly to wherever they wish and understanding everything in the society.

I would like to acknowledge Mr. Sokchea SAING and all its members for having built this school. Without the school I can never become who I am today.

I wish you all the best.

Moly

My Life is Hopfulness !!

Everybody and every student always have their own dreams and want the dream to come to fruition one day, especially long for a bright future and have a very good job in the future. My name is Men Vantha and I come from a small village of Svay Rieng province. Currently, I am studying in the second year of Management at Build Bright University and also a scholarship student of Attitude Center for Education.

I have 2 sisters and one brother. My two sisters had given up school since they were studying in high school, grade 8 due to the financial difficulties in my family and my brother is presently studying in primary school, grade 6.
I had graduated from high school in 2008 and kept on my studying in Phnom Penh. Living in Phnom Penh was a very difficult experience for me as I have no relative and then I decided to rent a house with my friend. The renting cost was $60 per month. All my expenses on; tuition, study materials, English language and renting cost were all paid by my mum. I spent $80 monthly and it was really a huge amount for my whole family. My mum worked extremely hard while she was ill to afford sending me and my brother to school.

One day, I was told by Mr. Put Set to study free English at Aziza school which is an American-based organization. There I had a chance to improve my English. 6 months after I had been studying at Aziza school, I heard excellent news for my life that, Attitude Center for Education (ACE) was recruiting for underprivileged students who are from all the provinces in Cambodia to offer the scholarships. After hearing this information, I rushed to apply and then I had joined “Attitude Forum” Training that provided by Mr. Sokchea SAING. The training has transformed me into a new person, by changing my attitude toward my future and reminds me of who I really am, opening mind, forgiving, problem solving, self-controlling, and especially the definition of LIFE. A few weeks after the training, I heard the exciting and incredible news that I had been offered the Scholarship!

While staying in ACE I am offered a chance to join the Youth Development Leadership Program with other scholarship students. The training has influenced me and taught me about leading’s operation such as: what is leading? How to become an effective potential leader, have a self-confident and self-motivated.

After my mum passed away in November 2009 I became a hopeless, helpless and stressfulness person but the Leadership Program made me understand clearly the meaning of life and I always encourage myself and tried harder to make my dream come true. Although sometime I feel so lonely but I would always think about my future and my goal. I would always remind myself that life is hopefulness so that I can encourage myself every time I feel tired or upset.

Currently I have been given a brilliant opportunity to be a project manager at Rudi Boa Centre while I am only 20 years old. I could not have achieved this much without the support of ACE & Cambodian Kids Foundation!

I have three fundamental dreams in my life. First dream is to be able to help other people and especially vulnerable children in the slum area. Second dream is to open a school in my homeland for all the children and youth. The final dream is to train myself to become a professional trainer of “Attitude Forum” and “Leadership Program”.

In conclusion my special thanks are due to Cooper’s family and all the CKF heroes in Australia for your generosity and supports in establishing CKF. Without all of your help I would not be standing where I am right now! I would also like to thank teacher, Saing Sokchea who is the one that I have been inspired by because of your good role model, constant support and encouragement. Who has taught me a good attitude, strong leadership and who would always remind me of a concept of helping and sharing with others. Thanks also to my other ACE scholarship friends for your valuable suggestions and who would always give me a new hope.

Best Wishes

Men Vantha