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Sichiv Sek, Rotary Club of Pursat, Cambodia
Student Sponsorship Coordinator at Sustainable Cambodia
Sichiv Sek (first name pronounced See-chew) is part of the young leadership team at Sustainable Cambodia (SC) in Pursat Province in Cambodia. (Website for SC: www.sustainablecambodia.org)
She is the Educational Sponsorship Coordinator for SC and is highly motivated and committed to providing the youth from poor rural families in the Pursat Region the opportunity to learn and attend enrichment classes in Rotary sponsored schools so they can advance to the next level in state school, especially in passing 12th grade, and then continue with further studies and skill learning at the university/college and post-high school technical level.
She helps identify those children in need; solicits and coordinates individual and organizational sponsorship support for the children allowing them attend educational enrichment classes from 6th through 12th grade, plus through college, including supplying them with school uniforms; books; bicycles, if needed to travel to school; plus, engages them in youth clubs and leadership activities with the focus on helping their village communities. She works with the students in determining career paths and in applying to universities or advanced schooling programs. She also teaches English. She is a new member of the Rotary Club of Pursat.
This past year she organized the first ever SC student alumni reunion which was a success, with alumni generously contributing monies to support ongoing SC students’ needs and now are networked through an on-line group.
There have been 20 graduating classes of 12th grade students since Rotarians founded SC, the first graduating class in 2004 with 1 graduate to present day 12th grade classes with 45 students. 421 students have graduated SC since 2004, with 298 completing college with a professional degree, 116 currently attending a university, and 7 who pursued vocational training and secured good careers with existing businesses or went into business on their own.
Sichiv, herself from a poor rural family, started with Sustainable Cambodia (SC) as a student, graduated grade 12 grade as an SC student and went on to a Cambodian university on an SC scholarship. She graduated from the University of Management and Economics in Finance and Banking. She returned to become part of the SC team. She is married and has a son.
Sichiv has been working for Sustainable Cambodia since 2016. Her first position at SC was as a librarian, although she didn’t have working experience as a librarian. She was trained by the Sustainable Cambodia education team and international Rotary volunteers. In 2017 she was promoted to be an English teacher. She says “That was the most joyful! I do love teaching. Helping small kids from poor families in the rural areas was my dream because I used to be a girl that was raised by Sustainable Cambodia. So that touched my heart. And I am willing to help my students to have a bright future”. She was again promoted in 2019 to be a vice principal, also continuing to teach English to SC students. In 2022 she became the Sponsorship Manager position where she is responsible for identifying sponsors to support the education of rural children to attend the SC enrichment classes with the goal for them to pass the Cambodia 12th grade test and obtain scholarships and sponsors to university studies. A major part of this position is to help the students apply for and become accepted to attend post high school and university programs.
She is part of the young leadership team inspiring hope, confidence, and determination for the local villagers and children to create a better life and future for themselves and their children.