Making Promises

University Women's Program

Letters from Students

CASF students have taught us the way to make a promise in Cambodia:

LOCK LITTLE FINGERS!

We often lock fingers with a students and promise, if they work hard and do well, we’ll see them through university.

With promises to keep, this year, in addition to our 260 grade school students, we have 24 students enrolled in university.  Two of those students have been with CASF from the beginning, as high school students.  This is a huge triumph for these young women!  This achievement comes through donor support, and the close attention of our Program Director, Dary, who helps these promising young women with major transitions and countless personal, financial and medical needs. Cambodian girls are being spared sweat-shops and terrible exploitation in the sex trade to become leaders in their communities.

Two of our first three students are now freshmen in university. When I met Reksmey for the first time five years ago, she lived in a rickety house on stilts. Her ill grandmother barely able to take care of herself sheltered her four granddaughters. After our interview for CASF support, Reksmey led me through the darkness down a decaying wood ramp to safe ground. As hungry dogs barked at my feet, Reksmey spoke of her desire to be a doctor and help Cambodia.

I met Arun that very same day. She lived with her mother in a squatter’s shack along railroad tracks. Two wild cats lapped rationed milk from a little dish inside the door. We sat on a mat and talked about dreams of Arun going to school. Transforming dreams into reality included the cost of a school uniform and a bicycle.

These examples of CASF students are a long way from the time when if you wore glasses or attended school the Khmer Rouge executed you.  Reksmey and Arun are models of determination and hope for the new Cambodia.

Consider the promises we are also keeping with Khor Kirin (Chemistry), Te Phally (Sociology), Pech Sangkhoem (Law), Sam Neath (Medicine) and other young women who are working to change the face of Cambodia.

Sense the spirit behind our work through the following letter from two advisors to our first year students:

To all of our new University Students,

I was fortunate enough to have met some of you when I was in Cambodia with Fred and Kitty in July. I wish that I could have met you all.

My husband Dale and I would like to write to all of you to wish you the best, not only for your first year of university, but for your whole university career.

You have all been in classes for around one month now, and are just starting to settle into your new lives in Phnom Penh. I am sure that many of you are still getting used to the idea of being in university with all of the changes and requirements. It is a big adjustment for everyone.

Dale and myself, as well as everyone with CASF, are very proud of all of you and know how much hard work it took for you to get here. We know you will miss your friends and families at home and that it will sometimes feel lonely.  I hope that you know that we are all here to help you, and to listen to what you experience.... both the great things, and the not so good things. And I hope that you will be there for each other.

So please make sure that Dary knows how you are doing. If you would like to email us occasionally to tell us about your school year, we would love to hear from you, however, Dary will keep us informed  so do not worry if you do not find the time.

We wish you much good luck, much happiness and much success for this year. Congratulations on entering your first year of university. We are so happy for all of you.

 With kind and hopeful thoughts,

Lisa Grant and Dale Lalone

Thank you for your continued support of CASF.

- Frederick Lipp

      President, CASF