The Difference a Scholarship Makes...

Vantha has managed our Scholarship Program at JWOC for over four years. Here he talks about the importance of education  in Cambodia and the opportunities that a scholarship can provide...

3 JWOC Graduates at our Annual JWOC Graduation Party.

 

Why is education important? One of many answers is that education can be the key to a better life; it can help open the doors of opportunity and give people a chance to find 

what they need.  Education helps people achieve their goals. However, all people have different lives, and some have fewer chances than others. So if they want to continue their education they have to find jobs or scholarships to support them. All students think they will have a much easier time finding a job if they are better educated. They really do not want to live in the same family situation forever. I really think that the students thoughts are right. That is why JWOC scholarship program has played a significant role in providing education for students. We can say the gift of knowledge cannot be stolen and it can enable student to reach their dreams.

Vantha and students during a team building activity.

I have been working on JWOC’s Scholarship Program for years and I can see from one year to the next many students have changed their path to a more positive one.  I am so excited when I see how students are able to change their lives for the better with help from our scholarships.  

Sokphak, JWOC Computer Teacher and Scholarship Student.

One of our current scholarship students who is going to graduate from us soon, is our full-time computer teacher and computer lab supervisor, Sophak. His life has improved in many ways, especially in his knowledge and work experience.  Before he got a scholarship from JWOC he had to live with his older cousin and received a little amount of money from his family to support of his daily expenses. After he got scholarship, he could afford to rent a room himself and was able to  support his younger brother. Sokphak volunteers in the free classes program, studies at university and works full time.   JWOC promoted him to be a full-time staff as computer teacher after all his hard work and dedication.  He does very good job at JWOC. The impact of his hard work is that he gets good grades from his academic studies and also he is able to successfully teach students in JWOCs’ free class program to learn the basic computer course (Ms Office word, Excel and PowerPoint and Internet and Emai). His dream career is to be  an  IT teacher at university. He also wishes to run a small IT shop in his hometown. With all his hard work, one day his dream will come true.

Sokphak, teaching a computer class at JWOC

This year we are going to provide 17 scholarships to students, especially for those who cannot afford to go to university or continue their studies due to change in circumstances.

On behalf of all JWOCs’ students I really want to say many thanks to our supporters for continuing to support the program, and give many chances to our generation and the next. With your support we can give students the best opportunity and help Cambodia become a strong and educated society.


 Interested in supporting a student through university?  Click here. 

 

 

JWOC Scholarships Change Lives

  In October we will be welcoming 17 new scholarship students. In this blog we take a look back at  the success of our previous scholarship student Makara, who tells us why a JWOC scholarship is more than just an opportunity to attend university...

"Hello, my name Makara Put, I am 26 years old. Now I am working at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel as a front desk manager. In 2007, JWOC gave me a great opportunity to study in university for four years. I graduated from university in September 2011.

It wasn't only a university scholarship; JWOC has provided me a great experience to work with the community. I was a volunteer in the microfinance project, which was very good time for me to meet a lot villagers. As I like talking, it was very nice for me to ask, answer and discuss with them about their business ideas. JWOC also has workshops for the scholarship students to learn more about how to prepare the CV to apply for the new job, to be confident in communication, etc.

 

Again, I would like to say thank you very much to JWOC and my sponsor who helped me to make my life different. I won't be here without JWOC. And I would like to leave a message to current scholarship students, please try your best to get your better future and remember that the more you do the most you get!"

 Interested in sponsoring a student? Click here for more information. 

JWOC Visits the U.S

 We are so excited to announce a US Journeys Within Our Community Fundraising Tour! 

Many of you will remember when Narla joined me in the US in 2009 and together we visited schools, clubs, and many of our wonderful donors - all to raise awareness and to generate donations for the projects we're working on in Southeast Asia.

Somit, Our Free Classes Program Manager is excited to
travel to the U.S for the first time and speak about his
experiences at JWOC

We decided that it was time to do it again, so in September Narla, Makara, Somit and Vantha will be coming to the US to visit and to help fundraise. Narla is such a great JWOC success story and of course is now our expert on US travel so he'll be coming along to help the other guys learn the ropes. Makara has been working for Journeys Within Boutique Hotel for years, so for him this is a bonus trip from the company. Since he's also a scholarship student alumni he'll be put to work fundraising as well!  Somit and Vantha have both been working for JWOC for years so this trip is to thank them for their amazing service and because their experience and passion for JWOC is just such a joy to be around!

Vantha, our Office and Scholarship Manager is also
 looking forward to talking
about JWOC on his first ever visit to the U.S!

Below is our tentative schedule for the trip; and the reason I'm writing is because we need our supporters help to make this trip a success. Not only do we need places to stay in each stop on the tour, but we also need an audience!  On our last trip our donors and supporters hosted, and/or held dinners or gatherings so we could tell friends and family about what we're doing with JWOC. The events donors arranged included inviting us to their book clubs, to their Rotary group meetings and to their kid's schools as well as hosting events in their homes! Because of incredible donor support we were able to raise money, awareness and get more people involved in what we're doing here in Southeast Asia.

If you would be interested in hosting a dinner or if you have a group that you think would be interested in having us to speak please just let me know and we will start putting together a wonderful two weeks for these guys!

All the best,

Andrea

Schedule for the trip

·      September 20^th: Our JWOC representatives arrive in San Francisco
·         September 21^st:  We will be in Sacramento, CA
·         September 22^nd: We will fly from California to New York City!
·         September 23^rd: We are hoping to attend World Savers in New York City
·         September 24^th: New York
·         September 25^th We will head from New York City to Washington DC
·         September 26^th  Washington DC
·         September 27^th: We will head back to California
·         September 28^th: Everyone will attend the JWOC Board Meeting in Truckee, CA
·         September 29^th - October 4^th:  We will be in California, but we would be willing to travel if you have an opportunity for us!
·         October 5^th:  The guys depart to head back to Cambodia

If you can help host our team please email  andrea@journeys-within.com