Pho Chhorvoan

Date of birth: July 16, 1990
Place of birth: Bam Village, Kouk Prech Commune, Kirivong District, Ta Keo Province
Current address: Nakachhay Village, Kob Commune, Ochrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province
Father’s name: Aem Phea (died)
Mother’s name: Meas Chanda, Occupation: Farmer
Siblings: 3 (1 girl, 2 boys) and the first child
University: University of Mean Chey (4 years), Korean Language
 
In Her Own Words
 
My father died when I was 5 years old, so my mother is the only person who earns to support the family. She’s been working very hard. Besides working on our subsistence farm, my mother goes to work in Thailand as a laborer to support the whole family and the three children’s education. Her struggle could keep me in school until beginning of 10th grade only. She told me that she could no longer afford my education since the expense had been increasing from year to year while having to support two other children’s schooling as well. I felt so shocked and lost hope for my future hearing that. 
 
Fortunately, however, some weeks later I heard that Lotus Outreach and the Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center (CWCC) needed to select female students who have difficulty staying in school due to poor living standard to be scholarship recipients. I got so excited thinking that I stood a chance to continue to stay in school now!  After applying for it, the program interviewed me and did social investigation in my village as well. Then, I was informed that I was selected into scholarship program. It was really a dream come true!
 
I finally passed high school national board exam as I had aimed. I was extremely delighted with this achievement; however, I was also worried at the same time not knowing if I could continue to university. I had tried to apply for scholarship at many universities and sat in entrance exams and finally I was admitted to University of Mean Chey with 100% tuition scholarship in Department of Korean Language and Social Studies.
 
Even with 100% scholarship for tuition for the full 4 years, I am still in need of so many other things to enable me to stay in school through out these four years such as school materials, school uniform, food, accommodation, and computer course. Without continued support from Lotus Outreach (LO) through Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center (CWCC), I would not be able to afford all these and would have to drop out.  
 
I commit to study hard until finishing this 4-year bachelor’s degree to return your generosity and I promise I won’t let you down. I will behave myself and be a good student, good daughter and a good citizen that is useful in the society and I will look for a job with any institution that is suitable with my credentials.
 
Last but not least, I would like to deeply and sincerely thank the donors. I wish you health, happiness, and success forever.