PLF GRADUATES
HALL OF FAME!
CHAMNAN – Banking & Finance
Chamnan was an urban walk-in student in 2019, asking for scholarship assistance to be able to complete Grade 12. Coming from an incredibly poor family situation, he immediately impressed us with his determination to succeed. His academic ability was clear, being extremely strong in both math and Khmer literature. He ultimately chose to study Banking & Finance at Paragon International University, and throughout his uni years has been a generous mentor and teacher, leading study sessions for younger PLF students during the Covid school closures as well as contributing to monthly uni meetings. He graduated earlier this year with a very strong score and is now working at PPCB in Phnom Penh.
“In my third year of university I applied for internship programmes in many different fields but I chose the bank because I saw many opportunities in the future. During the 12 months internship I built a lot of commitment, and good performance. Now I passed all the internship programmes, the probation staff programme and I am the official staff in the bank as Sales Planning Officer. And I really love it!
My boss chose me to be an MC for an MOU signing ceremony, a big meeting with executive management and partners. It was my first time and I was very nervous but I prepared and practiced my speech a lot. I think they chose me because they see confidence in the way that I communicate. They trust me to represent the bank and I feel very honored to fill that role.
In the beginning in Phnom Penh, everything was so difficult. For rural students starting a new journey in the big city without any relatives, without any close friends. We just come here alone for our education. But I tried to connect, don’t be shy and I made many friends. I can say that I have changed a lot since being in Phnom Penh.
Now I have a good salary and I can save money. Also my family needs a lot of support, and I always help them as I can. My family and whole village were moved far to the rural area without anything, just the land. So I help them build a new house. Also I try to inspire my siblings and younger relatives. I tell them that I was born in a very poor family without anything, just one bike to get to school, so with commitment you can do that as well.
I am the first in my family to finish high school and go to university. So it’s only me come here alone with my struggling to create my brightest future. Only commitment and efforts that I have made to change my life, and without support from PLF, I couldn’t stand here today. I couldn’t have gone to university and got this job. I couldn’t see myself shining today.
𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.”
There are many more students just like Chamnan, with great academic promise for higher education, but lacking the financial ability to get there.
Donating to our scholarship fund ensures they can access college, and go on to employment opportunities that change the trajectory of not only their lives, but their families’ and communities’ too.
Make their dreams come true – and contribute to a brighter and more equitable Cambodia!