Childhood
"When I was a child, my family had no money. We had to leave the countryside and move to the city," said Pissey, 23, a former beneficiary of PSE programs. "During the first year in Phnom Penh, we didn't know what to do so I lived in the garbage dump. I would go there to find plastic or aluminum that I could sell. After that, my parents started selling food out of the factories. All my brothers and sisters had to stay home to help my parents prepare the food."
It was finally in 2006 that Pissey joined PSE and began his education. "When I first arrived at school, for the first time in my life, I had rice and food. I cried because I had never had all this before!" she recalls. "Even though I was already 8 years old, I couldn't read books because I couldn't write Khmer."
Professional training
Later on, she wanted to join the Cuisine program at our School of Hospitality and Tourism. "In my free time, I have always cooked a lot. I prepare Khmer food, desserts... I like to watch TV shows where Chefs are cooking. And one day, I hope to become a Chef!"
During her studies, Pissey had the opportunity to take courses and internships in Thailand and France. She also participated in the ASEAN Worldskills Competition (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Skills Competition), held in Vietnam, bringing together the best young professionals in the region. "I was lucky enough to participate in a cooking competition in Hanoi. When I knew I was going to go, I asked my teacher, "Should I go to Hanoi by motorcycle or car? He told me that it was not possible and that for the first time in my life, I was going to fly. When he told me, I cried!
The future
Today, Pissey shares his skills by teaching students at our school. Her dream? To open a restaurant in Phnom Penh where she hopes to gain fame thanks to her talents as a Chef!
A success possible thanks to sponsorship
Since the beginning of their actions in Cambodia, Christian and Marie-France des Pallières, the founders of PSE, have chosen to rely on sponsorships to ensure the sustainability of the association's programs. The commitment we make to the children is strong: we lead them from misery to a profession!
The comprehensive care we offer to the children is long-term. We commit ourselves to the end and do not leave any child by the side of the road.