Davry, 18, Phnom Penh.
“I love teaching kids. I want to listen to them, help them and motivate them!”
Davry has a remarkable outlook on life for an 18 year old and growing up in a slum area in Phnom Penh has lead to her ultimate goal of helping the poor. Although she's had her fair share of challenges, what shines through is Davry’s underlying determination.
“I would look at other kids and wonder why they had a mother and I didn’t”
Davry grew up in a small farming village in northern Cambodia. Her parents separated when she was 4 years old, effectively abandoning her, but thankfully a great-aunt in Phnom Penh took her in. These years were very tough for Davry:
“I had no one to turn to, as my aunty was busy working. I didn't know where my mother was and my father moved to Thailand for work. On top of this, I had to sell food in order to earn the 25 cents I needed to pay for school.”
“My NGO has made me stronger”
Davry’s life changed when she started going to classes at a local NGO. Here she began to feel more empowered through lessons in leadership, teamwork, debating and English to name a few. This then inspired Davry, along with a few others, to start their own organisation called ‘Smile Group’. Their aim was to help the local community by providing school materials for children, as well as educating them in hygiene, waste management, recycling and other various social issues.
“I want to become a doctor and provide free healthcare for the poor”
Davry’s long term plans have meant she now places a lot of importance on her own education. She hit a hurdle at the end of last year however, as she didn’t acquire the grades needed to get into university. This has meant repeating her final year of high school and for now, putting the Smile Group on hold. During my last conversation with Davry, she mentioned that one of her teachers had refused to let her sit an exam due to low attendance for a Saturday class, even though she explained that she has to work on weekends to pay for school. Her teacher was unrelenting however and Davry refuses to pay a bribe which is common practice in Cambodia.
“I don’t want to find my mother until I’m successful. I want to show her that I don’t need her”
At 18, Davry continues to live under her aunt’s roof along with 4 of her cousins. Although Davry’s father still works in Thailand, she caught up with him a year ago and met his new wife and son. She wishes she could receive his help and understanding, but believes it’s not possible to share these feelings with him. As for her Mother, she thinks she’s probably got another family somewhere …
2016.
