Duong and Sophary

Congratulations to Duong and Sophary on their graduation in July 2010 from the Paul Dubrule School of Hospitality. Both girls graduated as Pastry Chefs and now have employment in a cafe Siem Reap. We are very pleased and excited for them and wish them well with the future careers.

Both Duong and Sophary came to KH at the ages of 17 and 18 respectively. No other orphanage or organisation would take them as they were considered too old. We dread to think what might have transpired if we had not accepted them at KH. More than likely, they would have ended up in the sex trade or begging.

Duong’s mother was an HIV/AIDS victim and her father left the family when she was very young and never returned. Duong then lived with her aunt who has nine children of our own, including one with Down’s syndrome. Duong is still very close to her aunt and visits her on a regular basis.

Sophary’s mother died from a diarrhea-related illness and her father remarried. He too died from the same illness, followed in turn by her stepmother. Sophary was sent to an orphanage in Phnom Penh and was separated from her younger brother, and given an orphanage name. However, when the orphanage changed its policy to cater for only children under12 years of age, the older children were ‘reintegrated back into their villages where she then lived with her grandmother. Sophary was offered work in her local area but wished to continue her schooling, as she was a very good student. After arriving at KH she was able to continue at school where she excelled. She too is very close to her grandmother and visits her as often as possible.

Duong has found employment at a cafe in Siem Reap where she is cooking both Khmer and Western food.  She married in May 2011 and has moved into an apartment in Siem Reap with her husband and will continue to work at the cafe.  Sophary has moved to Phnom Penh where she still has many friends from her days in the orphanage there.  She is employed at the 5 star Sofitel and in January 2011 was named "employee of the month".  We shall continue to offer them support throughout their future and will keep in contact with them to share their lives as would any family.

Duong and Sophary are our first “success” stories - they will be the first of many over the coming years.