Business Administration

Not far from the majestic towers of Angkor Wat temple, in a remote corner where Khim is living, he is the only son in his family. He has two sisters. The older one left school early, dropping out in primary school to help around the house and the fields. His younger sister, now in grade 11, still holds on to her education, and Khim silently cheers her on, knowing how hard it is to keep going when this family is down by poverty. Their father once drove a tuk tuk, guiding visitors to the world heritage of Angkor Wat, watching to admire the history through the people who lived there. But Khim’s father didn’t speak English, and as tourism became more competitive, he was pushed out. He returned to the land, where he now farms rice, year after year, chasing a good harvest that doesn’t always come. Their mother stays home, helping with what little she can in the fields and keeping the house in order. Growing up, Khim knew what struggle looked like. His family’s life depended on rain and soil. Some years, the rice grew well. Other years, there wasn't enough to feed them all. But through every season, Khim studied hard, keeping his head down and his hopes high. When he passed high school, that year, CEDO selected him for a university scholarship. It was the chance he had quietly worked for—a door opening out of the fields and into opportunity. Now, Khim is studying Business Administration at a university in Siem Reap. Khim dreams of running his own business, though he’s still figuring out what kind. For now, he’s focused on learning, growing, and saving every bit of wisdom he can for the future. “I don’t know yet what kind of business,” he says with a shy smile. “But when I have experience, I’ll know. I want to create something for my family, for my village.”