Midwifery

Miss Sokhim is a determined and resilient young girl from a rural area about an hour’s drive outside of Siem Reap town. She is the only daughter among five siblings, raised in a family of four boys and herself. Life has not been easy for Sokhim and her family. Her father passed away before the COVID-19 pandemic, and tragically, her mother died during the pandemic. Since then, all five children have been under the care of their elderly grandmother, as their grandfather had also passed away. Despite the family’s deep poverty, Sokhim showed remarkable dedication to her education. She biked long distances to school each day and worked hard to continue her high school studies. Through her perseverance and discipline, she successfully passed the national exam, a major milestone in her life. Her grandmother, although old and frail, continues to support the family by riding her bicycle around the village to sell traditional cakes, doing what she can to help feed and support the children. In 2022, Sokhim received a life-changing sponsorship from CEDO (Cambodian Education and Development Organization). Through this support, she was able to enroll in a midwifery course—a field that deeply inspired her from the start. Her passion for caring for mothers and newborns, especially her love for babies, grew even stronger during her studies. She has shown strong self-discipline, commitment, and gratitude throughout her journey, never allowing economic hardship to stand in the way of her goals. Now in her final year, Sokhim is set to graduate at the end of 2025. Her dream is to work at a government hospital, where she hopes to provide safe and high-quality care during childbirth. She also aspires to help her younger brothers—two of whom have already dropped out of school (one is currently unemployed, and the other works in handicrafts). She wishes for her two youngest brothers to continue their education like she did. In addition to her studies, she also takes responsibility for looking after her grandmother, balancing her caregiving role with her academic commitments. Sokhim is a shining example of resilience, hope, and determination. Her story continues to inspire those around her, and she stands as a role model for other young girls in her community who face similar struggles.