Sinet's Blog: Real lives transformed through sponsorship
Sinet's Blog: Real Lives Transformed Through Sponsorship
“Sinet, you have to study hard, and one day you need to go to university. If you learn and grow, you can help your family and your community.”
— Mr. Somrong, World Vision Field Staff
When I was a shy little boy growing up in Samrong District, Takeo Province, life was simple but very hard. My family was poor, and most of my days were spent catching crabs and fish, cutting grass, and helping my parents in the rice fields.
Everything changed when World Vision came to our community. In 2000, at the age of eight, I became a Registered Child (RC), sponsored by a kind-hearted donor from Hong Kong. I remember hiding from the staff out of fear, but when Mr. Somrong called me over and spoke to me with kindness and encouragement, something inside me shifted.
“Those words stayed with me. I promised myself I would study hard and one day follow the path he encouraged me to take.”
A Seed of Hope
With encouragement from World Vision, I joined activities like the child rights awareness, child learning activities, writing and drawing class, and Christmas. Slowly, I became more confident, learned to speak up, and discovered leadership skills I never knew I had.
At the same time, World Vision helped transform our community. They renovated ponds, built a school fence, playgrounds, canals, village roads, and installed wells and handwashing facilities. Life became easier — instead of walking 2.5 kilometres to fetch water, I only had to walk 300 meters!
Through these experiences, I realized that education and community support could truly change lives.
Turning Dreams into Reality
I studied hard and, in 2009, passed the Baccalaureate II exam with a “B” grade. I won a scholarship to study Mathematics at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). For the first time, university felt like a real possibility — a dream that World Vision and my Hong Kong sponsor had inspired in me.
But life wasn’t easy. My family faced financial challenges, and I had to leave university to support them. I started working as a marketing staff member, feeling like my dreams had ended.
Yet, hope returned in 2011 when I saw a posting for a Sponsorship Translation Intern at World Vision. Inspired by a sponsor’s letter — who had lost his own house to fire but continued to support children — I realized that love and support could overcome even the hardest circumstances.
Finding My Purpose
God never forgot me and answered my prayer. One day, I saw an announcement on the World Vision information board about a recruitment opportunity for a Sponsorship Translation Intern, and I felt a strong desire to apply for the position.
I applied for the internship and learned everything I could about sponsorship and community development. After one year, I was promoted to Project Coordinator for Sponsorship, and in 2015, I became Area Programme Manager for Bourei Cholsar — the same district where I grew up.
I will never forget my first field visit to Bourei Cholsar District in 2012. During that visit, I witnessed a pregnant woman struggling with a difficult delivery and facing a critical situation that required urgent support. She had to travel by boat to reach the upland area and then continue to the Takeo Referral Hospital. Sadly, the boat journey alone took about four hours through challenging water conditions, followed by another two-hour trip to reach the hospital. I asked myself, “What would happen if she had to give birth at night and still needed to travel by boat?” That moment broke my heart. I knew I had to do something to help.
“It took eleven years for God to answer my prayer, but today I am living my dream — serving children and families, and helping them believe in themselves.”
Giving Back
Today, I lead programs that bring clean water, education, health, and protection to children and families. I have completed my Master’s degree and continue to dedicate my life to helping children and youth know themselves, dream big, and achieve their goals.
In 2022, I was overjoyed when Mr. Somrong visited my office. He said he never imagined that the shy little boy he once encouraged would grow up to lead a team serving children.
“World Vision is more than my workplace — it is my second home. I am who I am today because someone cared enough to sponsor a child like me.”
A Message to Sponsors and Donors
If you are reading this, please know that your support truly changes lives. I am living proof. Because someone believed in me — my Hong Kong sponsor — I can now help others believe in themselves.
Your sponsorship doesn’t just support a child — it transforms families, communities, and the future of Cambodia.
Thank you for making dreams like mine possible.