Sokha Hueng is 21 years old and has been working with SCAO for 10 months as an assistant teacher. She has finished her high school degree and is now looking to start studying Hotel and Tourism Management at Norton University in October 2013. Detailed below is a sponsorship proposal for Sokha to attend Norton University in Phnom Penh to study Hotel and Tourism Management. With your help this could be a huge life changing opportunity for Sokha, please take the time to read about Sokha and her bright ambitions below.
About Sokha-
Sokha Hueng was born in 1992. She has one brother and one sister. Both her parents passed away when she was 10 years old and has been living together with her grandmother and one cousin at her grandmother’s house. They live in Kru village, a village located across the Highway from Som Roung Village. Her cousin has two daughters who live with them and Sokha cares for them on a daily basis while their mother sells fish in a market in Phnom Penh during the day. The family does not have any livestock or farming land, and is thus reliant on the sale of fish in the market for a source of income.
After Sokha finished her high school in 2011, she started working at a garment factory for a salary of $ 60 a month. Following the advice of her grandmother, she stopped and started studying English at West World English School, the closest English school at that time. When SCAO’s New School opened in Som Roung Village, she joined the computer class and the New Headway Intermediate class. Her interest in learning English and her excellent written skills gave her the opportunity of a job as an assisting teacher at SCAO in August 2012. She teaches 3 classes a day, including ABC Beginner, ABC Advanced and New Headway Beginner levels. Sokha is currently enrolled in our new computer class in the New School.
She still studies at West World English School, one hour a day after she is finished teaching in the New School. The costs for these studies are $14 a month. With her time in SCAO, Sokha’s English and self-confidence has improved significantly. Sokha has plans and goals set out that she wants to achieve, she would like to study Hotel and Tourism Managment at Norton University in Phnom Penh. She has always wanted to become a tour guide and has been saving some money from her salary in order to do so, but the course is much more expensive than her savings can stretch to.
Sokha’s Future-
Sokha’s aim is to study Tourism upcoming semester at Norton University, Phnom Penh.
The tourism department is situated in:
The first semester will start in October 22nd 2013.
Course layout:
The Objective of the Bachelors of Business in Tourism course was developed in consultation with the tourism industry to provide focus on management skills in a variety of tourism-related fields. It places emphasis on workplace experience and involves practicum work in the later years. The Department of Hotel and Tourism Management of Norton University concentrates on the research aspects and studies of:
• Knowledge and understanding of principles of the business of tourism industry.
• Management approach, applicable to the industry, for its sustainability.
• Principles essential for the tourism profession.
• Strategic management, marketing, economics, financial and quality management approach for the competitive advantages of the tourism industry.
• Advanced studies of tourism behavior.
• Management and development of human resources in the industry.
• Policy and public administration as well as essential laws and regulations for the tourism and travel industry.
• Understanding of third-world tourism development and appropriate approach for sustainable development.
• Understanding of the management approach for food and beverage operations, convention, recreation and entertainment. The studies of hallmark events and conference management are also included.
• Literature and research methodologies of tourism.
• Conceptualization of the principles of sustainability and tourism development
Admission Regulations- Admission for Norton University are:
1. Original copy of BACC II (G12 national examination) certificate.
2. Four (4) copies of 4″ x 6″ photo
3. Accomplished Application Form and Registration Fee of 5000 Riel.
4. Qualifying Entrance Test
5. Transcript of Records from High School (if any)
Cost of studies per year-
With a high school degree of E (It ranges from A to F with A as the best and F as the worst) Sokha will need to pay a fee of $ 500 per year for her study course.
University (one year)- = $500
Total cost for 4 years = $2,000
Benefits to her and her family-
With the successful graduation of the Bachelor course, Sokha will be able to work in different fields of tourism and earn a higher salary than people without university degree. She will be the first one in her family to attend university and set a good example for her nieces and younger family members.
For herself, her options in the job market will be much bigger and the risk of finding no occupation that covers her expenses much diminished. She will have the opportunity to move into the city, unlike many children, who were born in the countryside and have a future out of garment factories or farming. The Bachelor degree will give her the possibility for a Masters which opens the door into upper management and leading positions. Both degrees, Bachelors and Masters, are still rare titles in Cambodia that are mostly available for people living close to cities.
An Interview with Sokha
Sokha is an assistant teacher at S.C.A.O. II school in Som Roung village. She does not only support the volunteers in the classroom but is also a great friend. She has also be involved in a number of the community initiatives that have been operating from the school recently.
Hello Sokha! How old are you and for how long have you been working at S.C.A.O.?
I am 21 years old. I am a teaching assistant at S.C.A.O. for the past eight months now.
How did you hear about S.C.A.O.?
I was told about S.C.A.O. by my grandparents, who live in this village.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I live in Kru village, across the main road from Som Roung village. My family has 6 members. I have a brother and a sister. Right now I work at S.C.A.O. assisting the teachers during English classes. In my free time I like to read books, watch TV and then I help my sister with the housework. I also use the money from S.C.A.O. to study English at West World, a school 5km away from my house.
What are your plans for the future? What do you want to study and why?
In the future I want to become a tour guide. I would like to study at Norton University in Phnom Penh, to get a Bachelor of Tourism degree. Right now I don’t have the money and resources available to do so.
What do you like about S.C.A.O?
I like to be around all the children and volunteers at the school. It is also great to talk with all the different volunteers from around the world.
Is there anything you want to tell our readers?
At first I want to thank you very much for reading my letter. I’m currently looking for somebody to sponsor my studies at university. I would be very happy if you could support me in any way.
If you have any questions or are able to support Sokha and take over a sponsorship for her please contact us by writing an email to: info@savechildreninasia.org
