Life Stories

SuccessStories

The Students and Graduates

Meet some of our Students

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Meas Theara

University Graduate

My name is Meas Theara. I am 19 years old and the eldest son in a family of four. I am currently studying Grade 12 at Beltei International School.
Before I knew Helping Hand Cambodia, I was a playful boy who did not take my studies or my future seriously. Growing up in a poor community, I believed my life would always be limited by my family’s situation, and this caused my family many worries.
In 2015, my life began to change when I met Teacher Chanthy and was accepted into Helping Hand Cambodia. Through their support, I was given the opportunity to study at Beltei International School — something I had only dreamed of. Over time, I began to understand my own abilities and discovered my dream of becoming a businessman, working with both local and international partners.
As my family’s financial situation worsened, I studied in public school while also attending Cambodia Care Center, where I improved my English and computer skills. I helped care for my siblings and worked with my mother, selling fruits and peanuts late into the night. Life was difficult, but I never gave up on my education.
When I was close to dropping out in Grade 6, Helping Hand Cambodia gave me the chance to continue my studies and focus on my future. Even through financial struggles, my parents’ divorce, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, they continued to support and encourage me.
Today, I work in Customer Service Operations at Chip Mong Land, where I am already being trained for a senior role. I am deeply grateful to my family, sponsors, teachers, and Helping Hand Cambodia for believing in me. I promise to keep working hard and never give up on my dream.

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Soun Sreypheoun

University Graduate

My name is Soun SreyPheoun. I am 22 years old and was born in Takeo province. My family and I moved to Phnom Penh in 2024, where we have been living since.
I first met Teacher Chanthy after completing seventh grade in public school in 2016. She helped me secure a sponsor to study at BELTEI International School, where I met Duncan, the founder of the organization.
I began eighth grade at BELTEI in 2017 and progressed through twelfth grade, graduating in 2021 with a B on my diploma exam.
Thanks to support from Helping Hand Cambodia, I was able to pursue a university degree in TEFL at BELTEI International University, which I started in 2020.
I recently completed my fourth year and will soon attend my graduation ceremony.
Since my first year of university, I have been working as an English teacher at BELTEI International School, and I plan to continue there while improving myself professionally. My immediate goal is to work hard and help my family pay off our debts. Once this is achieved, I hope to pursue a master’s degree and eventually teach at the university level.
All of my achievements are the result of my hard work, my family’s support, and the guidance of Helping Hand Cambodia. I am deeply grateful to be part of this organization. Without HHC’s support, I would have studied at a local public school and missed the opportunities I have today.

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Pichpisey Chan

Student

My name is Pichpisey Chan, and I am 21 years old, currently studying Business Administration at Pannasastra University of Cambodia.
I grew up in Chbar Ampov, Phnom Penh, in a small family where my father worked hard to support us. Life was stable in my early school years, but everything changed when my father became seriously ill and my mother had to carry the responsibility of providing for our family.
As our financial situation worsened, I studied in public school while also attending Cambodia Care Center, a free community school that helped me improve my English and computer skills. At the same time, I helped care for my siblings and worked alongside my mother, selling fruits and peanuts late into the night to support our family. Many days were exhausting, but I held on to my education, believing it was my path forward.
When I was close to dropping out in Grade 6, my life changed through Helping Hand Cambodia. After hearing my story, the HHC team welcomed me into their program, and I was given the chance to study at Beltei International School — something I had only ever dreamed of. With their support, I no longer had to work at night and could focus on my studies. HHC became more than support for my education; it became a place where I learned values, confidence, and hope for the future.
Even through financial struggles, my parents’ divorce, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Helping Hand Cambodia continued to support and encourage me. I worked various jobs while completing my studies, eventually graduating from Grade 12 and continuing on to university.
Today, I work in customer service operations at Chip Mong Land, where I am already being trained for a senior role — a responsibility I never imagined at such a young age.

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Morn Sokmeth

Student

My name is Morn Sokmeth, and I am 20 years old from Chbar Ampov, Phnom Penh.
I grew up in a large family facing serious financial hardship. My parents worked hard just to meet daily needs, and because of poverty, one of my brothers had to leave school early to help support the family.
From a young age, I learned that education was not easy to access, but I believed it was the only way to build a better future.
In 2017, after I finished Grade 6, my life changed when I was accepted into Helping Hand Cambodia. At that time, my family was living in extreme poverty, and being supported by HHC became our greatest hope.
Through Helping Hand Cambodia, I was given the opportunity to study at Beltei International School, something I had only dreamed of. The transition was difficult at first, but I worked hard, studying at school in the mornings, learning English at HHC in the afternoons, and helping my family sell goods in the evenings.
Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and long periods of online learning, I stayed committed to my studies. I pushed myself every day, often studying late into the night, determined not to waste the opportunity I had been given.
With the encouragement of my teachers, sponsors, and family, I successfully completed Grade 12 and graduated — the first in my family to reach this level of education.
Today, I am studying Accounting at Vanda University while also working to support myself and gain experience.
My dream is to become an accountant and one day work in the banking sector with confidence and integrity.
I am deeply grateful to Helping Hand Cambodia for believing in me from the beginning. Without their support, my path would have been very different. I will always carry this gratitude forward and hope to give back in the future.

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Ra Kanha

Student

My name is Ra Kanha, and I am 20 years old. I am the oldest daughter in my family of four.
Before I knew Helping Hand Cambodia, I was a Grade 6 student who loved studying and dreamed of becoming a doctor. I always believed that education was the key to a better future.
In 2016, after my aunt introduced my family to Teacher Chanthy, I received a scholarship from Helping Hand Cambodia to study at Beltei International School. This opportunity changed my life. My family could not afford such an education, so I studied with determination, knowing it was a chance I could not waste.
Alongside my studies, I worked hard to improve my English at Helping Hand Cambodia, overcoming my fear of speaking and building confidence step by step.
In Grade 12, I prepared seriously for the national diploma exam and was proud to achieve a Grade B. In January 2024, I graduated from Beltei International School with the support of my mother and Teacher Chanthy by my side.
In December 2023, I began studying Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Beltei International University. After finishing high school, I also worked to support my family and gain experience. Today, I am studying in my second year at university and working as a preschool teacher at Cambodia Care School, where I teach young children and share my love of learning and English.
I am deeply grateful to my sponsor, Simon, who has supported me from Grade 6 through university. Because of his kindness and belief in me, my life has changed for the better. I now have education, confidence, and hope for the future — and I am determined to use them to help my family and achieve my dreams.