Dang Samreth

Date of birth: December 8, 1990
Place of birth: Oh Vaeng Village, Ta Baen Commune, Svay Chek District, Banteay Meanchey Province
Current address: Pi Village, Kompong Svay Commune, Serey Sophoan City, Banteay Meanchey Province
Father’s name: Vang Soeut, 57 years old, Farmer
Mother’s name: Num Yab, 51 years old, Farmer
Siblings: 4 (3 girls, 1 boy) and the fourth child
University: University of Management and Economics (4 years), majoring in Finance and Banking
 
In Her Own Words

My family is very poor and my two elder sisters had to drop out of school after finishing primary level. Before getting support from the scholarship program (GATE), I faced a lot of difficulties with my studies. I did not have money to buy study materials, uniforms, take tuition classes, and no means of transportation to commute to school. Everyday I went to school on foot and often arrived at school late which made me miss a lot of lessons and I couldn’t keep up with the class. Sometimes I had to be absent to go to work as laborer to earn some money to support my family. Despite missing school often and hardly keeping up with the class, I never intended to drop out because I loved studying and I knew that education is very important.
 
One day I saw an announcement on bulletin board at school to call for applications from poor female students for a scholarship opportunity with Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center (CWCC). I filled out the form and applied for it. One week later the program working group came to interview my family at home and not long after that I was accepted into scholarship program; it was in October 2007! I was very happy with this good news. Having been in the program, I received ongoing motivation and mental support from program staff as well as financial support. Moreover, I also got a chance to do basic computer training and take English tuition class!    Since then my performance at school improved and eventually passed the high school national board exam in August 2010!
 
My hope after high school was to continue to university, but at the same time I was very hopeless and didn’t think I could afford to pay for school fees and other expenses at university. However, with encouragement and motivation from CWCC and representative of donor during the graduation ceremony, I was convinced and gained my hope back. I then decided to enroll to do bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking at University of Management and Economics. No matter how committed I was in investing in further education, I wouldn’t have made it without continue support from the donor (Lotus Outreach) and CWCC.
 
Last but not least, I would like to sincerely thank the donor for the support so far. I hope that you will continue to support me through out these my time at university. I commit to study even harder and I strongly believe that with this strong will, I will have a bright future.