Sopheap’s parents prioritized her education in the midst of their poverty

Sopheap’s parents make just $1.25 a day in Cambodia. She is the youngest of their daughters. Her older sisters had to drop out of school in 3rd or 4th grade to help the family, but Sopheap was the fortunate one. She graduated from high school with flying colors.

Despite her poverty, Sopheap enjoyed a huge advantage. Her parents understood the value of education and instilled a deep respect for it in her. When Sopheap was in the first grade, her mother taught her all the subjects at home so she could compete with the other students at school. And Sopheap’s father? He is her hero. Although he lost a leg in the war, he sacrificed to send her through high school. He always encouraged her to study hard because he knew an education would give her a better chance for success in her life.

Education

In July 2016, Sopheap graduated 3rd overall in her 12th grade class (of 48 students) and 1st in philosophy, physics and math. Sopheap thought she would not be able to go to college – but the Gendercide Awareness Project provided the money for her and two other girls in the same situation. Sopheap just graduated from the University of Battambang, majoring in Marketing. She now has her own online business selling cosmetics and skin care products and is doing quite well with it.

Giving Back

She is anxious to make a good income so she can help her family. She also wants to “help poor children and youth to get an education so they will have a bright future and improve my country.”

Sopheap is active in the Temple and helps the poor. She says, “I give money or anything else (as much is possible) from my heart.”

She is loyal

Although she is now a university graduate with big ambitions, Sopheap still loves to visit her village. She says, “I like the farm. I like the blue color of the sky. I like being in nature – in a place with a lot of flowers and butterflies. It’s so beautiful and free. It makes me be fresh with my life. And I really love the Temples in Cambodia. It’s my wonderful country.”