Kakada’s dream is to support her own village community
Cambodian Kakada's family could not afford to pay for her high school education, so she had to drop out. In her home village, there are many school dropouts who stay on the farm to help their parents, or go to Thailand in the hope of work and a better life.
On Monday mornings, Noeun Kakada‘s mother rides her first-born’s by motorbike around 40 kilometers from the Thmey village to the city of Siem Reap to study.
Kakada lives in the school dormitory for weeks, sharing a room with five other girls. The girls have become friends with each other, and it’s nice to talk with them together in their free time. On Saturdays, after work, the mother picks up the daughter to go home for the weekend.
– My own mother only had the opportunity to study in the third grade, because her family was very poor. My mother wants her children to have the opportunity to go to school and learn, says Kakada.
Kakada didn’t want to move to Thailand after work, but study an occupation and work in Cambodia.
Kakada was 14 years old when her home village was visited by teachers from a vocational school who wanted to tell the youths in the village about studying and scholarship opportunities at the city of Siem Reap.
Kakada became interested in electricity skill because no one in her family had previous experience in the field.
Not so many girls study electricity, but it is slowly changing.
Women’s Bank’s scholarship made vocational training possible
Kakada was able to study electricity for a three-year of her education. The length of the degree depends on whether the student already has a high school background or not.
Women’s Bank’s scholarship has made it possible to study for a vocational basic skill. The whole family is proud of their daughter, who was able to continue her studies in the field of her choice.
– I like theory studies the most, because practical training is challenging, Kakada added.
Kakada is now a 17-year-old young woman graduating in the electrical field. Her plan is to continue her studies in electricity for a bachelor’s degree.
The school does not have enough equipment for all students, so practical work is done in large groups, so most students must watch the work from the side.
Dreams of the future
Although Kakada’s everyday life is currently in the city, she wants to return to her village. In her poor home village, no one sells electrical accessories so far, so it would be great for her to open her own shop that would sell electrical accessories (somethings like switches & sockets, outdoor switches & sockets, back box, junction boxes, plug & fuses, lamp holder) at a reasonable price.
– I want to support my own community, says Kakada determinedly.
Kakada also wants to act as a role model for others and tell the young people in her community about study opportunities in Siem Reap. Kakada’s mother also tries to encourage the young people in the village to apply for vocational training, but unfortunately only a few take the opportunity. However, Kakada has listened to her mother’s advice.
– Mother has told me that since we are poor, we must not give up, but must continue to fight.
Kakada is happy that her family has encouraged her to study. She dreams of one day buying herself a moto and a house for her family.
Text: Paula Saastamoinen
Pictures: Roun Ry