University scholarships are a clear pathway out of poverty. So, you won’t be surprised to know that we fund a lot of scholarships. Sometimes more than 20 in one year. Many are for promising young people – mostly girls. Others are for staff capacity building for our NGO Partners. Always, without fail, these scholarships carry a significant element of pay back the recipient owes to their sponsoring organization, our NGO Partner. University students commit to upwards of 2,000 hours of volunteer service. Staff capacity building students commit to a set period of continued employment with their sponsoring organization.
In this edition of our Voices From The Field, I’ll share with you the stories of three such scholarships – in the voice of REACH Siem Reap, our NGO Partner, and also in the voices of the recipients.
Here’s Emily Williamson, Founder of REACH Siem Reap:
For five years now, REACH has helped more than 250 impoverished children and their families break free from the cycle of poverty. To achieve this, REACH has partnered with the SE Asia Foundation to provide scholarships for high potential young students. Thanks to this partnership, REACH has just recently sponsored three young girls to complete their university degrees in English teaching. Now, I invite you to meet our newest scholarship students.
My name is Makara, I’m 22 years old and from a low-income family of six. Growing up, we faced financial hardships; my mom sold bread and my dad was a security guard. Despite the challenges, I pursued education and studied English at an NGO since I was young. I started my journey at REACH as an intern, and thanks to that opportunity, I secured a scholarship from SE Asia Foundation to study Teaching English as a Foreign Language at university. This opportunity not only fulfils my dream of becoming a teacher but also eases financial burdens at home.
Emily adds: Makara started her journey at REACH as an intern, embracing every opportunity to learn and grow, displaying a passion for education for young learners. After 6 months into her internship, Makara applied for the position of Kindergarten TA, with a successful result! Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work and resilience, the possibilities for growth and success are endless.
I’m Sona, the third child in a family of seven. Despite early setbacks, including dropping out of school for a brief time, I persevered with support from a community center in Siem Reap. REACH furthered my education after high school, and I earned a scholarship from the SE Asia Foundation to study at the University of Southeast Asia. Financial constraints and a desire to give back to my community drive my dream to become an English teacher, helping children from low-income families secure a better future.
Emily adds: Sona’s internship at REACH is fueled by her desire to help the students from our organization engage in education. Her commitment to education and service to others is evident in every step she takes in her role at REACH helping teach students who had once dropped out of public school. By teaching younger students to read and write in Khmer, Sona is not only empowering them with essential skills but also igniting a passion for learning.
I’m Sreymom, 22 years old, raised with five siblings after losing my parents at a very young age. Our financial struggles were immense. I had to work from an early age to support my education. Despite facing discrimination and hardships, I am now studying at Pannasastra
University with a scholarship from the SE Asia Foundation through REACH. My goal is to empower my village through education, pursue a master’s degree overseas, and eventually open a school in my village.
Emily adds: Sreymom’s initial role as an intern in the REACH Repair Shop and Riders Club programs marked the beginning of a transformative journey towards empowerment and advocacy for gender equality. Immersed in a traditionally male-dominated environment, she discovered her own strength and capabilities during her internship, defying stereotypes and breaking barriers along the way. Thanks to her hard work, after completing her internship she became part of the REACH team, inspiring more female students to pursue their dreams and break gender barriers.
Emily again: REACH is immensely grateful for the collaboration with SE Asia Foundation as it paves the way for continued empowerment within the community. Working hand in hand, we are able to provide essential tools and resources that foster growth, resilience, and opportunities for those in need. Thanks to like-minded organizations, we are building a foundation for a brighter future, one that is rooted in empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable progress.
I hope you get the message here.
What you see above is a huge THANK YOU to YOU and the generous donors that make our work possible.
Actually, it’s much more than that. It’s the voices of more than 200 kids getting an education at REACH all saying
Thank You
We’re really proud to partner with Emily and the wonderful team at REACH — all working together to provide a better life for these local village kids.
If you’re interested knowing about the work that our other Cambodian NGO partners are doing in service to those most in need, you can click here.
At the SE Asia Foundation we do not simply “help” people
We Help People Help Themselves
That is our focus
That is our commitment
That is where our actions show up
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