Meet Luy (pseudonym), an inspiring young man who fought his way to achieve his dream!
Luy, a 20-year-old from Kampong Speu Province, has three sisters and one brother. Yet, Luy had to grow up without contact with his brothers and sisters since he was separated from his family at a young age. Luy had been living with his elderly grandparents but they didn’t have enough money to provide him with food or education. To try to give him a better future, in 2021 Luy was sent to live in Peace Center 1 and later transferred to Peace Center 2 in Battambang province, far from his home and family.
In 2022, Children’s Future International (CFI), with funding from USAID under the Family Care First project, began working with Peace Center 2 to support them to transition away from a residential care center for children by helping them reunite children with their families. On November 23, 2022, Luy returned to his grandparent’s home with a hopeful heart. CFI supported the family by providing household items, clothes, school supplies, a bicycle, and food as well as counseling and collaboration with the local authorities.
But there was still a big problem. Luy’s school was 10 kilometers away from where his grandparents lived and traveling that far every day was exhausting by bicycle and expensive by other means of transportation. He was often tired, hungry, and sometimes couldn’t make it to class on time.
To help, CFI, the village chief, the district social worker, and other local authorities met with Luy and his family to come up with a solution. They decided that Luy could stay in the District Hall near his school during the week, making it easier for him to study. But this solution brought its own challenges. Luy’s room in the District hall flooded when it rained and he didn’t have enough money for food or school supplies. Because of USAID restrictions, CFI could only provide rice support, despite the fact that he really needed meat, vegetables, and money for school.
So, on March 11, 2023, CFI held another case conference where Luy asked to live at a nearby pagoda, which was closer to school and safer. The authorities agreed and also helped him get a government issued equity card, which provided him with better access to government services, including food and healthcare.
In the next grant from USAID, CFI was finally allowed to provide cash support, which made a huge difference for Luy. Although he only received a small amount of monthly cash to support himself with basic needs, he had the flexibility to buy what he actually needed from the community around him, including food and school supplies.
Despite everything, Luy never gave up. He studied hard, even when things got tough. He eventually graduated from high school and moved to Phnom Penh to pursue higher education. Luy originally wanted to study Engineering, but the degree and required computer were well outside the scholarship from CFI. He then decided to study Graphic Design, allowing him to get a decent job while he continues to fight for his dreams.In his own words, Luy shared:
“There were days I had nothing to eat, nowhere dry to sleep, and no idea how I’d keep going. But I believed in myself, and I’m so thankful to everyone who believed in me too. Without CFI and the people who helped me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
His family is also full of gratitude. They thank CFI for monthly visits, food supplies, emotional support, and most importantly, for never giving up on Luy.
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