A Hard Life without Parents
Monday, July 07, 2008 - by seiha
Poverty often forces poor children out of school and into work, to support themselves and their family. In such a situation, not many children are able to continue their studies. However, Mr Pen Saraveth, whose father died when he was little, did manage to graduate from University and now works as assistant director of Aspeca, an organisation which helps orphaned children. Now 25, he once was one of them.
Pen Saraveth was 8 years old, when his mother first received Aspeca support for herself, four children and a very ill husband.
Four years ago, Pen Saraveth graduated in International Business Management at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. One year later he met Ouk Phearith who had a successful career at the International Center for Children and Family; she was also an orphan and is now his wife. She says: "Our families’ situation would not have allowed us to go to university, but through our own efforts and the support of Aspeca we were able to."
Aspeca Paris and the boss of his wife even helped the couple to pay for the wedding. "I am happy because I have a good family and a high standard of living," he says. It was not always like this.
In 1984, when Saraveth was only two, his family left the countryside. In Phnom Penh they had no work and not enough money for a house. It was then that Aspeca got involved.
Saraveth, the second child, always managed to find creative solutions: He stayed at a pagoda in order to study Khmer literature and Pali language and in return went with the monks to collect food and money. "I was able to become a parttime teacher while still at high school with what I learned at the pagoda," says Saraveth.
"I was even able to buy a new bike for 48 Dollars after I taught Khmer literature and mathematics to a neighbour for three months."
His wife Phearith studied information technology taught. As a student she also taught five hours a day at a private computer school to support her siblings. Since graduation she has held a full time job. Besides, she is now in her third year studying English literature at Build Bright University. "We are trying our best since we have enough energy to work hard," Phearith says. "I want my son to have a better education than his parents."
A friend says: "Their struggle has made them especially thoughtful in their work. Saraveth even turned down a job offer from a bank. “It is very satisfying to work with poor children," he says. "I want them to get the chances we had.” The Author: Ou Mom
