This article was written in 2009 while I was working for World Vision Cambodia.
Title: I hope my story would be an inspiration to others
“My mother always suffered from the
beatings of my alcoholic father. When I was 14, my father died of liver disease
caused by alcoholism. Even though my father had so much shortcomings, I do miss
him,” Sarath, 15, sadly remembers.
Sarath said he can still almost hear his father’s cursing and scolding his mother every time his father was drunk. He continues, “My father is a violent man and I am ashamed of the things he did when he was alive. Often, I felt jealous that other families live in peace. Ours seemed to always live in nightmare. Our condition became worst when my father got sick and we needed money for his treatment. When he died, my mother also got sick. It was a tough time for us”.
More than his six other siblings, Sarath is the one who really showed concern for his family, and the one closest to his mother. He shares that; “I worked as a brick factory worker to earn income to support my family and for my father’s treatment. I carried very heavy clay all day, earning barely 9000 riels (2.25 USD) per day. My studies suffered because I was too tired to attend my classes. I do not have time for friends and looked really skinny because we can hardly make ends meet with the meager income I bring home. I was sickly and doesn’t know anything about personal hygiene.”
Sarath adds, “My mother always had bouts of headaches so I worried about her health. I always make her happy and not think too much. I help her for cooking food; washing clothes, do house work. It never even occurred to me that those house chores are for women. I can do them and I am happy as long as I help my mother.”
Sarath became a sponsored child in 2002. He is very happy of World Vision’s support and will do everything to make his sponsor smile – such as study hard and get good grades. Sarath receives school materials regularly and other needs like books, clothes, rice and many others. His family was also provided with coconut and mango tree seedlings to form part of their livelihood in the future. World Vision staffs members encourage him to study hard and their regular visit to his family have become a source of strength.
Sarath holding a book says, “I spend my free time reading Khmer literature books and joke books. At school I love Khmer literature subject the most, I am an outstanding student of Khmer literature writing. My childhood dream is to become a non-government organization worker someday so I can help the poor and give them hope. I have lot of friends now and I am beginning to enjoy learning. I thank World Vision the support provided to me and my whole family.”
Sarath hopes his story would be an example to encourage other poor people to be hopeful in life. Sarath says, “I am proud to be a sponsored child. It gave me the chance to continue my education and value important things in life. I still find work from time to time so I can help my mother. However, my study is now a priority for me. I love learning and hope to get a good job in the future.”
Sarath’s mother smiles, “ Sarath is a good son and takes good care of me. He learned a lot about the importance of hygiene and teaches us all in the family. I thank World Vision for the support and encouragement that gave my son a lot to hope for in life.”
Sarath said he can still almost hear his father’s cursing and scolding his mother every time his father was drunk. He continues, “My father is a violent man and I am ashamed of the things he did when he was alive. Often, I felt jealous that other families live in peace. Ours seemed to always live in nightmare. Our condition became worst when my father got sick and we needed money for his treatment. When he died, my mother also got sick. It was a tough time for us”.
More than his six other siblings, Sarath is the one who really showed concern for his family, and the one closest to his mother. He shares that; “I worked as a brick factory worker to earn income to support my family and for my father’s treatment. I carried very heavy clay all day, earning barely 9000 riels (2.25 USD) per day. My studies suffered because I was too tired to attend my classes. I do not have time for friends and looked really skinny because we can hardly make ends meet with the meager income I bring home. I was sickly and doesn’t know anything about personal hygiene.”
Sarath adds, “My mother always had bouts of headaches so I worried about her health. I always make her happy and not think too much. I help her for cooking food; washing clothes, do house work. It never even occurred to me that those house chores are for women. I can do them and I am happy as long as I help my mother.”
Sarath became a sponsored child in 2002. He is very happy of World Vision’s support and will do everything to make his sponsor smile – such as study hard and get good grades. Sarath receives school materials regularly and other needs like books, clothes, rice and many others. His family was also provided with coconut and mango tree seedlings to form part of their livelihood in the future. World Vision staffs members encourage him to study hard and their regular visit to his family have become a source of strength.
Sarath holding a book says, “I spend my free time reading Khmer literature books and joke books. At school I love Khmer literature subject the most, I am an outstanding student of Khmer literature writing. My childhood dream is to become a non-government organization worker someday so I can help the poor and give them hope. I have lot of friends now and I am beginning to enjoy learning. I thank World Vision the support provided to me and my whole family.”
Sarath hopes his story would be an example to encourage other poor people to be hopeful in life. Sarath says, “I am proud to be a sponsored child. It gave me the chance to continue my education and value important things in life. I still find work from time to time so I can help my mother. However, my study is now a priority for me. I love learning and hope to get a good job in the future.”
Sarath’s mother smiles, “ Sarath is a good son and takes good care of me. He learned a lot about the importance of hygiene and teaches us all in the family. I thank World Vision for the support and encouragement that gave my son a lot to hope for in life.”
-Ends-
No comments:
Post a Comment