The ODA Pathway: From Village Classroom to Community Leadership

Inspiring Change: 

A Graduate’s Journey of Hard Work, Service, and Success

Not for the feint hearted, Sem Check at work with her kindergarten class of 50+ each afternoon

In a quiet village in rural Cambodia, a young girl once walked into an ODA classroom with a simple desire to learn. Today, she not only teaches her kindergarten class but stands as a manager in a vital new government test program. A testament to the incredible power of dedication, and a shining example of how an opportunity, seized with both hands, can ripple outwards to change the lives of hundreds. This is the story of a graduate whose journey proves that a helping hand doesn't just lift one person up, but can elevate an entire community.

Her path began where so many do at ODA – as a beginner student learning the foundations of English and basic computer skills in Word and Excel. These programs, offered for free, are often the first spark of a much bigger fire. For this student, that spark was ignited by her own relentless hard work. She diligently progressed through the units and grades, her determination catching the eye of her teacher.

Recognizing her potential and unwavering commitment, her teacher recommended her for ODA’s teacher training program. It was a chance to go further, and she embraced it. After successfully completing the training, she began as a kindergarten teacher, honing her skills until she was confidently leading her own classes.

This step was more than just a job; it was the key that unlocked a future she and her family could have never afforded on their own. As an ODA teacher, she was now eligible for the ODA university program. Her dream of higher education was now a reality.

For four years, her life was a masterclass in perseverance. Majoring in Marketing at university in Siem Reap, her days were a blur of motion and commitment. She would travel the long 45 kilometers to university and back – a two-hour round trip – and still return to teach her classes at ODA. Her university path, as she says, “was not so smooth,” but through sheer grit, she “got it.” In 2024, she proudly graduated.

The primary activity in these villages is subsistence farming.

While many might have focused solely on the immense pressure of juggling work and study, she chose to do even more. With an innate understanding that giving back builds a stronger community, she volunteered for a local government-linked project in her village. She did it for nothing, simply to help. She didn't know it at the time, but this act of going the extra mile was an investment in her own future.

Upon graduating, her initial dream of becoming a businesswoman met the harsh realities of a competitive job market. But with a spirit forged in overcoming challenges, she never gave up. In January 2025, her past volunteer work came back to reward her. The officials she had worked alongside remembered her dedication. When a position opened in a new government start-up, “Community Foods Supply,” they knew exactly who to call. Because she had given her time for free, she was known and trusted. She was offered a position.

The official team responsible for the Community Foods Supply program in this area.

Today, she is one of the managers at the heart of a program that is transforming her region. The “Community Foods Supply” grows safe, local vegetables to provide free, nutritious meals for children in the Tlok, Tatum, and Takous primary schools. 

The benefits create a powerful cycle of local empowerment:

• Local farmers have a reliable income selling their produce.

• Community members have stable jobs close to home.

• Children have access to safer, healthier food.

• Government funds are invested directly back into the community, strengthening the local economy.

  
  

Her story is a powerful illustration of ODA’s mission. The free English and computer courses that ODA provides are not just classes; they are the launchpad. They give students the confidence and the foundational skills to seize further opportunities, like university scholarships and, ultimately, meaningful employment that benefits society.

No two days are the same for Sem Check at work on the Community Foods Supply project.

With an attitude like hers, there is no doubt she will build a remarkable future for herself and for her community. Her dream now is to see the food program grow to serve even more villages and to one day see her community’s vegetables sold in supermarkets. She wants to see her village develop, see its children get a good education, and its people have jobs to do close to home.

Her journey is an inspiring reminder to every student in our village schools: dream big, work hard, and never underestimate the power of giving back. 

How often does doing something for nothing come back to you? 

For one exceptional young woman, it came back to nourish a community, and her story is a compelling reason to believe in the endless potential that your support for ODA continues to unlock.

INSPIRE A STUDENT'S DREAMS