College Scholarships for Young Women in Cambodia

Hello to all friends and donors:  in my last report, I provided a summary of my recent trip to Cambodia in January 2023.  It was the third time I have been to Cambodia on behalf of The Chelly Foundation.  I said in my report that it was a joy to be able to spend time with with 18 of the 27 Chelly Scholars our charity has provided scholarships to, through GlobalGiving and other donation campaigns.  I also said the following:

"The young women (and a few young men) who we have supported have been part of a truly remarkable journey from poverty to a life rich with opportunities.  Raised in a very poor, rural area of Cambodia, our students who have graduated college are in good starting jobs in pharmaceutical firms, banks, accounting services, hotels and teaching in schools.  But for a Chelly Scholarship, it would have been likely that their paths would have led to working (at best) in a factory making shirts, or on a family-owned rice farm."

After my trip, I received many messages of thanks from our Chelly Scholars that you have helped to support.  Here is one from a young woman named Malatee:

"No words can express all the respect and and admiration that I and other Cambodian children have for your kindness.  I wish you health, wealth, and happiness at all times."

Malatee went on to tell me about her dreams and aspirations, after she received a new laptop computer from The Chelly Foundation:

"I would say thank you so much for your generous donation!  This laptop makes my work possible.  I currently attend senior year in the last term.  Every weekend, I have lots of law training to develop my ability.  Recently, I also took part in a case with an attorney as a legal assistant.  I also joined in a court hearing, making me understand more on the procedure.  I wish to get work experience after I graduate, for a professional career related to law.  Then help my family first."

I met Malatee when I was in Cambodia and she is a delight.  She will make a fine lawyer some day if that is what she wishes to do.

I said in my last report that I would say more about the primary school we built for 300 children in the same village as most of our Chelly Scholars hail from.  I include one picture here of our visit to the school on its dedication day (out of hundreds I have), but will save more details and provide many more pictures in my next report.

I wish to thank all of our donors again for their tremendous support over the past year especially.  We could not have accomplished all that we have done over the past seven years without the generous donations of all of you, and I will always be grateful for your support.

Links:

• http://www.thechellyfoundation.org

To all friends and donors: it was a joy to be able to travel again to Cambodia.  Among the highlights of the trip was getting a chance to spend time with with 18 of the 27 Chelly Scholars our charity has provided scholarships to, through GlobalGiving and other donation campaigns.  

The young women (and a few young men) who we have supported have been part of a truly remarkable journey from poverty to a life rich with opportunities.  Raised in a very poor, rural area of Cambodia, our students who have graduated college are in good starting jobs in pharmaceutical firms, banks, accounting services, hotels and teaching in schools.  But for a Chelly Scholarship, it would have been likely that their paths would have led to working (at best) in a factory making shirts, or on a family-owned rice farm.   

The students I met, both graduates and those still in school, are just so happy to have had this opportunity of a lifetime for a chance at a good career and a good life.  Three of our young women have become married to fellow students at university, and a fourth is now engaged to a fellow Chelly Scholar (a young man).  A picture of Sreyrean and Pha Nit standing on either side of me is included here, and I wish them a very happy life ahead.

I was also happy to get a tour of the Harpswell School from one of our scholars.  Rina and Jakkrya were invited in successive years to join Harpswell -- each was one of only 20 girls selected from all of Cambodia to attend what is a leadership academy housing students who are in Phnom Penh on scholarships (such as the one we provided).  I know that both of them are going to go on to do great things in international relations and law, their chosen fields of interest at present.

In a subsequent report, I will write about my attendance at the dedication of The Chelly School back in Chum Kiri, a primary school for 300 first through fifth graders, constructed entirely with donations to this charity.  This wonderful new school will provide the educational foundation that children in Chum Kiri need to end up as the university graduates of tomorrow.  That at least is my hope.

Thank you again to all of our donors.  We could not have accomplished so much over the past seven years without the generous donations of all of you, and I will always be grateful for your support.

Links:

• http://www.thechellyfoundation.org
• http://www.facebook.com/thechellyfoundation