Last month it was “Back to School” for students in Cambodia, particularly for the five young people [pictured] whose studies are being supported in 2025/6 by the Bob Maidment Educational Support Fund – set up in 2020 in memory of our former Chair of Trustees, who spent a lifetime working with young adults. The Fund supports a number of different educational projects from classroom equipment and bikes to support for families to keep their children [mostly girls] in school instead of going out to work. But its main purpose is to give young people from very disadvantaged backgrounds access to training, entrepreneurship and business skills – an opportunity they would otherwise be unable to afford. [more about the background to the Fund at https://supportcambodia.org.uk/funding-in-action/ ]
in 2024 Support Cambodia received an invaluable grant from the Marist Fathers [UK] to be spent over two years, specifically on supporting young people in education and it is this funding, together with regular Standing Order contributions from several very generous SUPPORTERS, that has enabled the charity to support:
Left Seng Hoan [19] and right Sol Channy [19], both 2nd year Engineering students from Kompong Thom studying at Don Bosco Technical College, Battambang and living at the Tep Im Student Centre. We are delighted these two young men have persevered in their study – students from poor , rural families are often under pressure to quit study in favour of earning money so congratulations to Hoan and Channy for staying with it.
Also living at the Tep Im Student Centre is Yen Sammadi [22], a late addition to our group of students. Sammadi is from Prai Mongol Village, Pailin and has 6 siblings, five are still in education and one is at home but not working. With both parents being PWD’s[ Persons with a Disability] and unable to work, this is a really challenging situation but Sammadi has secured a place at National Technical School [Battambang University] to study Electricity.
Vor Vansak [20] is in his 2nd year studying Carpentry at Don Bosco Technical School Phnom Penh, sponsored for his first year by the Marist Brothers, Pailin. Support Cambodia are contributing to the cost of the second year of study. Vansak writes: “I am from O’Sar Lao Village in Battambang Province. I am the eldest in the family with two brothers and a sister. Because my parents are separated I lived with my grandmother who is a farmer. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Brother Marist family and all the benefactors who have continuously supported and sponsored my education.” Vansak’s family are also making a contribution towards his studies.
And finally, but maybe most significantly, we are delighted to welcome our first female student!! She is Keo Srey Oun [23], from Pailin who is starting her two year course at the Salesian Centre in Phnom Penh to become a chef! Srey Oun has 6 siblings, three of them married and one taking care of their parents who are both sick and have no jobs. The family are very keen Srey Oun takes this opportunity and are contributing by supporting her personal expenses.
We wish all five students good luck, good health and success – and hope to meet all of them during our Trustee Visit in January – and once again, grateful thanks to all those, especially the Marist Fathers [UK], for giving these young people a chance.
If you would like to contribute to the Bob Maidment Educational Support Fund, either by a one-off donation or by making a Standing Order, please go to the DONATE page of this website and mark your donation EDUCATION. Every little helps!. Thank you.
