The Heart of Cambodia: See what your kindness builds

A GRADE RESULTS AND BIG DREAMS

At ODA I Live My Dream - A Message From Seyha

Dear Supporters,

Today, we want to share a story that is only possible because of supporters like you. It is the story of Saut Seyha, a youngster from Takeo Province who is currently in her third year of Digital Media Design at Build Bright University.

Seyha’s journey from a remote village to a university classroom is a testament to what happens when a hardworking student meets a community of generous hearts. We asked Seyha to share her progress in her own words, and we think you’ll find her spirit as inspiring as we do.

Seyha is at the very back row behind the white and pink T shirts in this group pic of many of the ODA Central students.

"I Never Know About University when I live in my village"

By Saut Seyha

"Hello, my name is Saut Seyha. Now I am so lucky to live ODA and studying at Build Bright University. My major is Digital Media Design, Year 3. This semester, I learn many thing: coding for websites in Advance PHP, making animation poster in 3D Motion Graphics, and how to create content for Facebook and TikTok.

I learn a lot, but I like Digital Storytelling the most. It helps me understand how to write a story, make a storyboard, and find a 'hook' for a video.

For my final project, my group make a video about 'Agriculture: The Heart of Cambodia’s Economy.' We worked so good together and even went to a party when the exam was over! You can see our

Video here:  (Apologies it's in Khmer, however you can see the depth of content that went into the whole project.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SCCeZkRkkA

Seyha on the right and her sister on a visit back home recently

Before I came to ODA, life was very different. I lived with my grandfather, aunt and sister in the province. My home was far away from school, but I try go every day because I want to learn so much. My father is a PassApp driver and my mother work in a factory. They have to live near where they work. They work so hard.

Seyha is 3^rd from the left, and Stephen, the photography-skilled volunteer at the end of the back row.

In 2017, my parents hear about ODA so asked Mr. Leng if I could come to ODA to go school every day. Lucky me, he said yes! Then in 2023, I ask Mr Leng if my younger sister can come to live with me too. Now we live together at ODA with a beautiful place and good education. My parents so happy to see us find a bright future.

Working in my class at university with classmates.

I worked so hard when I started school in Siem Reap it was very good I could go every day with the other ODA kids.  I quickly made new friends at school.  We had good teachers and learn many subjects.  At ODA we learn English and have practice with talk with visitors and this make us want to learn to talk with them more.  We learn Word and Excel and Mr Leng and Reach teach us art and all make our own paintings that visitors like to take home and we get money also to buy things.   I love Khmer Culture Dancing and we learn many dances.  In my village we know about the dances but never see them.

I am very happy my parents find ODA for me and now my sister.  We are so lucky with the education and for me university is so good to be going there, so I work hard.

This is the score about my subject:

• Advance PHP And My SQL: Grade: ___A____       

• Digital storytelling: Grade: B+__

• 3D Motion Graphics I: Grade: A_         

• Social Media Management: ___A___      

• 3D Modeling Modelling and Animation I: Grade: ___C+___          

• My Teacher Said this semester:  Good at speaking, good at listening, practical, and always delivers tasks on time, ‘but forgets quickly’.

Some of my university friends at break time

When I was a young child, I never even know about university.

Now I go every day! I want to be a designer, a photographer, and a teacher.

Some of the kids I teach at ODA Central

Because of ODA University support, I don’t have worry about tuition fees or food. I have time to focus on my studies and I also help teach the younger kids at ODA.

“At ODA, I live my dream."

Saut Seyha

Why Your Support Matters

Seyha is achieving incredible things—earning A grades in PHP and Social Media Management while learning professional photography from wonderful returnee Canadian volunteers who helped the kids make a video last visit. But she is also giving back, acting as a role model for the younger children who, like her, once didn't know about university.

Your donations don't just pay for "ODA students living and education expenses"—they provide the "Bright Future" Seyha’s parents dreamed of for their children.

They turn a young girl from Takeo Village into a future filmmaker and educator.

Thank you for assisting Seyha’s and others dreams to be on the way to becoming a reality.

With sincere gratitude,

The ODA Team

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