Vichheka Sok

God’s Blessing Helps Me Reach My Targets

Written by Vichheka Sok

“I was usually spent my time with friends going out and sometimes late at night. I joined them drink beer sometimes, but I never forgotten studying,” shares Bunthoeun Ho, 28 year-old, Baribour II Area Development Program (ADP) Manager of World Vision Cambodia.

“My parents always encourage and advise with good words, and I always have high commitment to work with the poor and help them to live better lives.  I like to learn and spends my time reading books, and I stopped going out with friends since 2000 because I want to do a good work and contribute to help the poors,” added Bunthoeun.

  Bunthoeun has high ambitions and he always tries hard to make his dream come true. Bunthoeun comes from a Christian family with respectful values.  A good man with gentle manner Bunthoeun said, “I became a staff of Vision Fund which also works very close in helping poor people in the communities. I love my job because I have opportunities to work with children and the poor, and it’s my dream to work with them”.

By 2004, Bunthoeun passed the selection to become a Community Development Worker (CDW) of World Vision Cambodia. “My dream then was to become an ADP manager, but I thought it’s impossible because I am not as mature as the other staff back then.  I had to work on improving myself more,” adds Bunthoeun. He always sought to learn and work on self-development and grow in his understanding of the area of development. To learn more he spends time learning from managers who are in higher position. These people have set good examples for him to learn more and eventually strive to obtain better position within World Vision.

“I was employed as a Project Coordinator (PC) for the education project. I always do research and kept on self-learning; I love to learn from others and my books have remained always at hands,” affirms Bunthoeun.

Bunthoeun’s growth continues to increase like the steps on the stairs that lead upward.  He always dreams of moving higher and not giving up on his hopes. Reflection and learning from others around are what Bunthoeun practices; he is also open to share with other colleagues the responsibilities. Working with World Vision has provided Bunthoeun with many learning opportunities such as the Modules from Learning for Transformation (LfT) team, and now Integrated Program Model (IPM) is also a new model for him to learn and this makes him really interested in his works.  All these lessons have helped to equip him and his staffs for further partnerships. All lessons learned with World Vision have encouraged Bunthoeun to want to learn more and know more.

Bunthoeun said, “I practice by keeping a journal and writing down the things to do, what is plus, minus, and interesting. I have worked in a team with staff to find the way for my team to achieve good results in our development work.”

Bunthoeun has never expected he would become an ADP manager in Baribour II ADP, he said, “I think God already planned everything for me. I am really blessed by God who makes me keep growing and continue to improve myself. I still learn more relevant development field and working with communities and conducting reflection is really vital for our growth as well as that of the community.  It helps to see a big picture of our work and life.  How our personal growth helps us to do our job better.”

“I think his story really inspires others and it’s a good example for all staffs to learn. He always shares with staff to try hard and seek self transformation and to keep growing in life and at work,” said Serey Roth, a fellow World Vision staff.

-Ends-