Last December, Srey Nek graduated high school and received our assistance with moving all the way from the coastal city Sihanoukville to Cambodia’s capital. In Phnom Penh, Srey Nek found a new home in the ASPECA student center, which is run by the French organization Enfants d’Asie, which we are proud to have a cooperation with. At ASPECA, Srey Nek has been able to slowly but surely adjust to big city life, connect with fellow aspiring university students, and reevaluate her academic goals.
Srey Nek had always expressed great interest in science, chemistry, and – most importantly – helping others.
After a number of preparation courses and university entrance exams throughout spring, Srey Nek started her foundation year at International University in June. Her passion for Pharmaceutical Science was quickly ignited, and she declared her major.
Read her story in her own words below!
Hello everybody!
My name is Srey Nek and I am 22 years old. Last year I graduated from high school in Sihanoukville. After that, I moved to Phnom Penh.
Now I study two majors at university. I study Pharmacy and I am also getting a Bachelor’s Degree in English at International University. My Pharmacy classes are on weekdays from 7 in the morning until the afternoon. In the evenings, from 5:30 to 8:30, I take my English classes.
I decided to study Pharmacy because I am very interested in medical subjects and I want to be able to help a lot of people in my future. This year, during my foundation year, I realized that I prefer Pharmacy over Medicine. In the future, I want to be a great pharmacist. I like this job because you require a lot of knowledge, but a lot of people trust you and you help them recover from illness.
The reason why I also decided to enroll in a Bachelor of English program is because I think that my English skills are very low. However, I want to be able to speak English fluently to communicate with other people. Also, English is an important language for pharmacists.
I am very happy to study at International University. I have many friends and a lot of good people around me. It is a very exciting time for me in my life.
I am so thankful to CYS that you help me with studying at university. I come from a poor family and my mother is incapable of supporting me through school. Without your help, I would not have been able to graduate from high school and continue to study at university.
I thank you so much for supporting me.
With Love,
Srey Nek
As Srey Nek mentions in her letter, her single-mother Phors found herself unable to provide for her. In fact, your donations prevented Srey Nek from dropping out of high school and taking up a low-paid job and enabled her to continue her education.
In addition to covering both her tuition fees and costs for school supplies, Thomlang – Cambodian Youth Support supported Srey Nek through the donation of a moto. Phnom Penh still lacks any form of public transportation, and it is especially important for young girls to be able to commute to and from school fast and safely. The motivated student also received support with purchasing a laptop, that she urgently needs to do her assignments and presentations.
Furthermore, we continue to support Srey Nek with a monthly allowance to cover her expenses for food, gas, clothes, hygiene products, and medical costs.
It is truly special to be able to continue to watch our students grow up, graduate school and enroll in university. Srey Nek is an ambitious and very intelligent young girl with great focus and big goals and we are happy to continue this journey with her.
Support underprivileged students like Srey Nek on their way to a prosperous future by donating to CYS today!
