Journeys Within Our Community supports giving 74 students access to higher education each year. Sophin Sophary was one of those students and one of only 2 women from her village to ever go to university. Here she shares a little about life since graduation …
Related Posts
Name: Sophy Sophary
Age: 27
Hometown: Kor Koh village
Date of graduation: July 27, 2010 from Build Bright University
A former waitress at a Chinese Restaurant near the night market, Sophy is now the operations manager of Cambodian Self Help De-mining (CDHD). As a scholarship student, she volunteered a as a teacher in a free school program during her studies. Her current job role entails her helping people in the very poor communities and rural areas by helping to make them safe, educating the villagers and providing health care.
In her own words …
As I am a country side woman , I would like to share that in 2010 I am the second women in my village to graduate from university. Because women rights and roles are so strict, plus cultural conditions especially in the country side area, women are not encouraged to go to school.
Most parents think that their daughter don’t need to study because it’s useless. Women are taught to stay home and take care of children. This idea causes very, very bad violence in the family. I am the one who face that problem so I won’t have to see it anymore .
Now I am a de-miner and bomb disposer at my charity. I would like to advocate and to advise women that you don’t give up. Try to catch an opportunity to go to school, and you can do same thing as the men ….
How has the JWOC scholarship helped you:
- I could eat good food — JWOC always called all scholarship for dinner meeting. Before I would just stay in my small room and eat 1 egg in a day with Fish source.
- I could finished my school which pushed me to see the challenges in our society.
- Showed me how huge the world is.
- Make me stronger and more confident
- Show me the direction of my life and the way I should go
- Teach me about how to work and help people in community
What is your advice to our current JWOC scholarship students:
- Try your best in school — you will no regret in the future!
- Study the subject you like and within your own ability.
- Try to get involved in community activities by volunteering — it is a good practice and you will use that experience in your future job.
- Keep your good attitude.
- Keep your Scholarship Opportunity in your hand till you graduate.
What have been your notable achievements since leaving JWOC:
- Raise my payroll.
- Continue master degree.
- my attitude has changed — I am more responsible.
- support 3 poor kids in my home village
- have sent 1 of my young brother, 1 of my young sister and 4 of my cousins to school in Siem Reap.
Congratulations Sophy from the JW team on all your success and on your undoubtedly bright future!