This Is Why We Do What We Do: Meet Heng

From a Cambodian Village

to a Japanese University:

Heng’s Amazing Journey of a Lifetime

And he’s not finished yet!

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Visiting the Hiroshima Dome building, seeing it cradled by the delicate embrace of the blossoms, was incredibly moving.

For a young boy in a small farming village, dreams can feel a world away. I dreamed of being a scientist, a doctor, and even an astronaut who might one day travel to Mars. But when the threat of a forced land grab upended my family's life, even the dream of finishing school was suddenly at risk.

Forced to defend our remote farm from takeover, which was prevalent at that time, my parents made the difficult decision to move into a shed on the property. They approached Leng to ask if my sister and I could live at ODA to ensure we could continue our education. 

Leaving my loving parents was a very difficult adjustment, but it was a choice that would change my life forever. At ODA, I found more than just a safe place to live, three meals a day, and a good education, I found chatting with overseas visitors to the ODA Student Art Gallery, opened my eyes to the rich environment of life and opportunities outside of Cambodia. 

My sister, Kimmie, and I not only did well at school but also discovered a passion for art and a window to a wider world chatting with tourist visitors to our ODA Students Gallery

Heng along with his sister Kimmie and all the ODA kids

enjoying a fun Sunday picnic at Pras An Chop Pagoda.

Occasional field trips, some funded by kind donors, just like you, were more than just holidays—they were life-altering experiences. A trip to Sihanoukville and the seaside sparked pure joy as we all discovered jumping in the waves and building sandcastles, while a visit to Thailand sponsored by a former volunteer, Andy now a USA lawyer, opened my eyes to a different culture and planted a "little catalyst seed" in my mind about what my future could hold. We met a Cambodian student there who was managing to fund his Thai university with scholarships and part time work.  This was interesting to me that he was able to make this happen.  Also in Thailand I saw first hand how different societies function, and that experience ignited my ambition to somehow study abroad.

Temple of 1.5 Million bottles built to promote reduction of waste

and eco friendly practices Sisaket Province Thailand

A wonderful visit for everyone to a huge amazing Thai Zoo.  Heng is 3^rd from the RHS and Kimmie is 6^th. Thanks a zillion Andy for taking everyone on this eye opening trip for 4 days

That seed of an idea, nurtured by my parents' unwavering encouragement and the education support ODA provided, built my confidence and grew into a formidable plan. 

After finishing Year 12 at ODA, I took the bold step of somehow moving to Thailand for university. 

In between having to studying university level written and spoken Thai, my university courses study, having to find money for accommodation, food and my contribution to my university fees, I had to find time to sell coffee to get through every week on a very tight budget.

It was not easy and I missed my family terribly, but I studied and taught myself Thai, worked part-time to pay my meagre way, and studied relentlessly, earning an academic ‘Smart Student’ award with a 3.89 GPA out of 4 for my efforts. The resilience I built there in Thailand prepared me for my next giant leap.

Heng in rare spare moment’s sightseeing in Thailand

One of my Thai lecturers saw potential in me and encouraged and assisted me to apply to Japan for scholarship support.  Today, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Japan, studying plant environmental science on a scholarship I earned with my near-perfect GPA score.  Japan having such a small land area has science continually working on finding ways to enrich soil to maximise crop harvest and shorten production and rotation planting times.  I work part time filling shelves at a 7-ELEVEN store.

Japan is heavily investing in and utilizing science and technology in agriculture to address challenges like an aging farming population and the need for increased efficiency and sustainability.  It is very interesting and challenging work for me to be taking part in.

Garlic sprouts in a laboratory                          Research student in a greenhouse

Organic Strawberry farm                                                    Led lighting indoor planting

My dream is now to become a professor and researcher, and one day, return to Cambodia to help lead my country's education development.

My journey from my village to ODA, and on to Thailand and Japan, is a powerful testament to my own hard work and perseverance, there were many very hard lonely times. But it’s also a story about the power of resilience and support.  The unwavering belief of my parents, who endured the horrors of the Pol Pot regime and were denied the gift of education, combined with the profound trust of ODA's donors in its mission, became the bedrock of my journey. This powerful fusion provided not just the safety, education, and life-changing opportunities I desperately needed, but the freedom to transcend mere study and survival. It ignited within me the courage to dream beyond the visible. 

Looking back, if there's one message I could share, it's this: I truly hope my story becomes a beacon for other intelligent, yet underserved young village people, 

“You can do it.” 

For ODA supporters, I want you to understand the profound impact of your kind funding. It empowers young villagers, who truly have only one way to go in their lives — up. 

Your support helps ignite within them the courage to study hard, to persevere through every challenge, and above all, to profoundly believe in themselves. Because the truth is, for village kids like me, nothing is impossible when you possess the unwavering will to achieve it.

FUND FUTURE HERE