Read on to meet the staff/students, and then let us know if you can provide sponsorship for their travels.  The cost per child/staff will come out to about $2,800 including flights, passports, visa and visa interview travel costs, local transportation and costs in the US.  For more information, contact md@pepyride.org .

 

Chunly

 

Chunly is an 8th grader at Chanleas Dai Secondary School, and lives in Chanleas Dai Village.  We have known Chunly since he was in 5th grade, where he shined as the top student in his English and Computer class and was known by all of our staff (and most of our volunteers!) for constantly coming around the office to practice his English.   Chunly never misses an opportunity to practice his English, to speak up when there is a problem, or to take action to help his peers.  As the leader of his Child Club in Chanleas Dai, Chunly is always taking the initiative to improve the well-being of his community.  When the club was studying about hygiene and health, he encouraged his sisters to help him build a makeshift toilet in his backyard.  When the students were discussing ways they could learn more from their teachers he took the initiative to offer his house as a tutoring space twice a week, and helped his younger peers. Sponsor Chunly to go to Camp Sangamon!

 

Sengya

 

Sengya is one of the top students in her 7th class at Chanleas Dai Junior High, and according to her teachers, the bravest young women in her school.  Sengya lives in Preah Lean village, where she helps her parents take care of her younger brother and work in the rice fields.  She is a natural leader, with a positive attitude, initiative, and great communication skills.  On one of our latest trips, Sengya surprised all of our volunteers by leading her friends to leave our activities in order to make sure they would return to class on time. With a clear "I'm sorry, it’s nice to meet you, but we have to go study now," she impressed the whole group with her diligence.  She loves to study both English and Khmer, and places a high importance on prioritizing her education and leading others to do the same. Sponsor Sengya to go to Camp Betsey Cox! 

 

Seiha

 

Seiha is a 7th grader at Chanleas Dai Secondary School, and lives in Chanleas Dai Village with her parents and her younger brother and sister.  She lives right next door to The PEPY Ride School, and works after school with her mother selling gasoline outside of her house.  Though Seiha is quiet, she is never shy, always asking questions, and raising her hand to attempt an answer.   Seiha has been studying with PEPY for three years in our English and Computer program, and also participates in PEPY’s Child to Child program.  She is determined, brave and expressive, and impressed all of our interviewing team with her quick thinking and confidence.   She has already been through several trials getting to this stage of the application process, including severe car sickness while traveling to Phnom Penh.  Even after a painful 6 hour bus ride spent sick, she still had a smile on her face at the end of the trip, understanding that this was the first of many “firsts” and challenges she might face. Sponsor Seiha to go to Camp Betsey Cox!

 

Soben

 

Soben is from Dombrei Slap village, where he lives with his mother and 5 brothers.  Soben is widely known in his community for his incredible smile, positive attitude, and passion for learning.  Soben shines when he is working in a team or a group.  As a first step in interviewing students for this opportunity, we did a group activity to see how the students worked with others.  Soben caught everyone’s attention, with an easy leadership and facilitation skill that was efficient and thoughtful.  Where his peers rushed to judgment, took charge hastily, or followed others, Soben challenged his team to consider alternatives, and then quietly led them to a more efficient solution.  In all of the groups we saw, Soben was the only student who thought to split up his team into group to achieve their goals and also one of the only students to help his peers talk through the problem, leading the others through a logical, participatory discussion that resulted in a more efficient solution. Sponsor Soben to go to Camp Sangamon!

 

Awatd

 

Awatd is a PEPY Program Officer, and will be chaperoning students on their travels.  Awatd is truly one of a kind, and we are incredibly grateful to have such an innovative teacher on our team.  After finishing with school, Awatd joined YouthStar Cambodia to volunteer for a year in rural Prey Veng province.  After attending a leadership camp with Youth Star, Awatd created an low ropes course singlehandedly in for her community, leading children through the teamwork and confidence building exercises she had been so impressed with during her training.  She is constantly thinking of how to bring learning experiences to the communities around her, and takes initiative all the time to make teams, organizations, and communication between people more effective.  She is a true listener, taking in what is around her with all her senses and then learning from what she sees to repeat and teach others. 

Awatd will be an exceptional guide for these students.  She understands how people tick, and knows how to make even the greatest of problems seem like something manageable.  She is by nature a care-taker, but one who does not coddle, and will encourage the students to rely on their own strength, to push themselves, and to make the most of the new things they will experience.  Sponsor Awatd to travel to the United States with PEPY!

 

Sarakk

 

Sarakk has been an English teacher with PEPY for nearly one year, and will be chaperoning students this summer along with Awatd.  During Sarakk’s time working with us he has wholly dedicated himself to improving the well-being of students in Chanleas Dai.  In a difficult work context, he has proved to be an exceptionally hard working teacher, a dedicated advocate of his students, a well-respected mentor to other teachers, and an integral member of PEPY’s team.
 

Though a teacher for several years now, Sarakk still has a student’s enthusiasm. He has lost neither his excitement for studying, or his drive to be an engaging teacher.   His students adore him, for his wide smile, his dedication to their improvement, and for his enthusiastic manner of teaching.

Sarakk is always trying to improve himself.  He is currently studying on the weekends in Banteay Meanchey province, working towards get his BA degree. He is most looking forward to improving his English during his time in the United States, so that he can return to Chanleas Dai and continue to encourage his students to reach their goals. Sponsor Sarakk to travel to the United States with PEPY!

 

We're grateful for all the support we can get to help connect these students to what we know will be an incredible opportunity!  

 

If you know someone we can reach out to for sponsorship, or can help us fundraise on behalf of these four students please contact md@pepyride.org as soon as possible! 

Add comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required)

Website

Notify me of follow-up comments

Refresh

Send

Cancel