Vichheka Sok

This article was written by me in 2008 while I was working for World Vision Cambodia. 

I know I have changed

2008

“In 2006, my mother got seriously sick, so I was forced to quit school in grade 2 and I became a fortune-teller at Wat Phnom, and under the sunshine walking along the riverside in order to predict for others to get return some a mount of money to pay for my mother’s medicine and everyday food, ”says sadly 10-year-old, Nika Kuoch.

Nika Kruoch are living with his mother, Srey Touch, aged 41, and his younger brother and sister, Tontan Kruoch, 7; Nita Kruoch, 4. Living in a 2.50meters square room, which his mother has rented, there is no separate space between cooking and sleeping rest. Even it’s small but it such a comfort villa for Nika and his family.

Nika Kruoch and his oldest brother, Nuon Dara (18), were the main source to earn income for family while his father has run away from home to live with his secret lover. They both worked as fruit carrier for fruit sellers, working from early morning ‘til nighttime while Nika was only 6 years old.

Since Nika quit school, each day he worked as a fortune-teller and helped fruit seller to carry fruits and get return some fruits and little money to buy food for his mother and fulfill his hunger.

“As a fortune-teller I had to walk from morning ‘til night time.  Sometimes earning only 5000 riels,” complaint’s Nika.

“I feel so worry about my son who always walked back home at night time, I am afraid their safety back home,” says Srey Touch.

“I feel bad for my children that their father left them to live with his secret lover.  He is irresponsible to his children,” cries Nika’s mother.

“I always wanted to fight other boys in the village and I always shot with toy gun toward any boys or anyone who drive across this village. I have never known to use polite words to elder people, I seemed rude and didn’t listen to elders even my mother.” says Nika with sad face.

“Everyone in the village didn’t like Nika because of his rude attitude.” recount Srey Touch.

A World Vision Sponsorship Programme staff learned of Nika’s family and his situation, so Nika was recruited to be a sponsorship child, thus Nika was able to receive assistance.

“Now I have lots of friends and I have time to play with them, I really happy when I am able to return to school. I am a class-master!” recalled excitedly Nika.

With support from Sponsorship programme, Nika have received school materials and school uniform.

“Nika is not such a boy before, he’s changed his attitude, now he’s never spoken impolite words to me as others. I see him now is like learning and helping me for my job to earn money to support family.” smiles Srey Touch.

“ I know I have changed, I love my family, I help my mother to earn income. I stopped behave such before since I have received assistance from World Vision Sponsorship programme.” complaint’s Nika.

“ I would like to thank so much to Sponsorship programme of World Vision Cambodia that help my son to be able to attend school and he becomes a good student and a good son right now.” said Srey Touch.

“My mother always encourages me to study hard. My favorite subject is Khmer literature. In my future, I would like to be a good staff of a company.”says Nika.

-Ends-