Here we share the personal stories of people who have benefited from our programs.
The remarkable & inspiring journey of Phal Menheak, a former PAGE student
Phal Mengheak is pursuing a Doctoral Degree at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, where she also works. Originally from Chikreng District, Siem Reap Province, she was selected for PAGE and completed her high school education. She went on to university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, specialising in Water Irrigation Engineering through a scholarship provided by from Lawrie and Robyn Leeman, from Rice for Cambodia (RFC), Australia.
After she completed her Master’s Phal is now doing a PhD at the same institute. She has been working to pay for her continuing education. Now empowered and financially independent, she can support herself and her family. PAGE played a significant role in transforming Phal’s future.
A Journey of Growth for former CDV student Mr Pheanh Phary
Mr. Pheanh Phary and his five siblings joined the Children Development Village (CDV), Life and Hope Association (LHA) in 2006. After completing primary and junior high school he moved to Siem Reap City for high school. After graduating, he returned to CDV to volunteer while studying management at Build Bright University. Phary obtained his bachelor’s degree and went on to do his master’s and got married.
Phary also worked with an NGO in his community for several years before starting his own business. He began by offering micro-loans and as the business grew, he expanded into purchasing cassava and cashew nuts directly from farmers. Today, Mr. Phary is a successful businessman. His journey from a child in care to an entrepreneur is an inspiring example of determination, hard work, and self-transformation that continues to motivate others in his community.
A Great Transformation thanks to PAGE
Ms. Sat Nakin, 22, is from Somrong Cherng Village, Somrong Commune, Sotnikum District, Siem Reap Province, about 40 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap City. She is the third of four siblings. In 2016, she joined PAGE to finish her high school education graduating in 2017.
She moved to Phnom Penh, living for 1 year at Lotus Residence Dr. Ieng Sotheara’s house and graduated in 2024 with a degree in Tourism Management from Royal University of Phnom Penh. While studying, she worked in a shop to support herself and supported her siblings to get higher education and secure, fair-paying jobs which significantly impacted both her life and her family’s future. Nakin was able to purchase an apartment. She aspires to becoming a successful business woman and wants to start her own investment business.
Amazing Transformative Journey, PAGE
Ms. Thida Oeurn, from Chikreng District, grew up without a father. Her mother had to work far from their home, so Thida and her sister were raised by their grandmother.
In 2017, she joined PAGE, studied and worked hard, graduating three years later with excellent grades. Thida received a scholarship from Charaplast to study TESOL at Paññasastra University of Cambodia (PUC), Siem Reap Campus. While doing her degree, she worked as a Social Worker at Dream Training Center. After she graduated she was employed as a Project Manager at an NGO promoting local tourism.
Thida’s journey reflects resilience and dedication, proving that education can change lives.
Inspiring Transformation Journey, former CDV student
Sreypin’s story is a powerful example of resilience and determination. Born into a dysfunctional family, her parents divorced when she was very young. In 2006, her single mother brought her and her younger brother to the Children Development Village (CDV) in Peaksnaeng Commune, Angkor Thom District, Siem Reap Province. Sophy lived there until 2018, when she was given the opportunity to continue her high school studies at PAGE which she successfully completed in 2020.
Determined to build a better future, Sophy set her sights on working in Japan. She enrolled in Japanese language studies at the Cambodian Institute of Japanese Technology in Phnom Penh and, after two years of hard work and dedication, she completed her training. Now, her dream is coming true — Sophy is preparing to leave Cambodia for Japan on May 13th, 2025. We deeply admire her commitment and courage in pursuing her goals.
In 2007, after completing secondary school in her home village, Nhoeurm, joined PAGE, which allowing her to complete high school. This opportunity changed her life. Back in her village, she would had to travel 25 km every day to attend school, and like her two brothers who had to give up their education due to this challenge, she too would not have been able to finish high school. Thanks to PAGE and the support from LHA, she was able to pursue and complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in Siem Reap.
While studying for her degree, she worked at LHA’s head office for three years as an accounting assistant officer and also took on a part-time job in the evenings. During this time, she supported her younger sister, who was still studying in our hometown. After graduating in 2015, she started working at the Sathapana bank in Siem Reap and is now working at the Sathanpana bank in Udor Meanchey Province.
“I am grateful for the opportunities provided by PAGE and LHA, which made it possible for me to achieve more than I ever imagined”.
How LHA changed the life of Lort Yet through it’s Sustainable Communities Project
Ms Lort Yet is an 18-year-old student from Chup Soum Village, Peak Snang Commune, Angkor Thom District. She is currently in Grade 10 at Hun Sen Angkor Thom High School.
“In the past, my family was very poor,” she shared. “We didn’t have enough food, clothing, school materials, uniforms, bicycles, or even a proper shelter. Life was very difficult, and going to school regularly was a struggle.”
However, things began to improve after her family started receiving support from the SCP (Sustainable Community Project). With the assistance provided, her family’s living conditions have significantly improved. “Now I have a bicycle to travel to school, the study materials I need, and a school uniform,” she said proudly. “Most importantly, I have more time and energy to focus on my studies. Because of this, my academic performance has improved a lot—I always receive excellent scores in my class.”
Lort Yet expressed her deep gratitude to SCP and LHA for their continuous support. “I am very excited and thankful to SCP and LHA for helping my family and giving me the chance to continue my education,” she said.
Looking ahead, Lort Yet has big dreams. She is determined to continue working hard and aspires to become a doctor in the future. With her strong dedication and the support she receives, she is confident that she can achieve her goals and one day give back to her community.
Access to education can empower, Ms Pe Sa, former PAGE student
Pe Sa, aged 21, the youngest of eight siblings in her family, is from Tropeang Trom Village, PoPel Commune, Sothnikum District, in Siem Reap Province, 40 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap City.
In 2016, she joined PAGE to complete her high school education, and sucessfully finished Grade 12 in 2017. After high school, she moved to Phnom Penh to continue her education and stayed at Lutus Residence, the home of Ieng Sothera. She was accepted into the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), majoring in Business Administration, with a scholarship supported by Mr. Somnieng’s friends in Phnom Penh.
While studying, she supported herself by worked part-time at Lutus Pediatric Clinic. A year later, she moved to a house in the city and secured another job at HT&P Partners Co., Ltd, an auditing company, where she worked as an auditor. She successfully graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Currently, she is doing her Master’s Degree while continuing to gain professional experience. She is driven, hardworking, and motivated by a strong desire to succeed.
Her goal is to become a businesswoman so she can generate income not only to improve her own life and support her family, but also to give back to society. She believes that through business, she can create opportunities for others and make a meaningful contribution to her community.
Nop Sophal, The First Generation of PAGE
Nob Sophal was born in 1998 in Thnolchek village, Samrong commune, Sothnikum district, Siem Reap province. She has two brothers and one sister.
In 2007, she was selected to join the PAGE program to continue her high school education at Angkor High School, where she graduated in 2009. That same year, Sophal moved to Phnom Penh to study at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), majoring in Khmer Literature. She was granted a PAGE Beyond High School Scholarship Program and gained her bachelor’s degree in 2013.
After graduation, Sophal sat the entrance exam to become a high school teacher twice but was unsuccessful. Despite this, she returned to Siem Reap and was employed by a private school, Smart Kid International, in Siem Reap City, as a Khmer teacher. She continues to work there, earning around $400 per month, excluding benefits and incentives.
In 2020, Sophal, her brother and sister, used part of her salary to purchase a house for their mother in their hometown. In January 2021, she got engaged, with plans to hold a wedding ceremony once the COVID-19 situation improves.
Sophal is proud to be one of the first PAGE students to graduate from high school. She remains a dedicated educator and hopes to start her own business in the future.