
From Phnom Penh to Bangladesh, the incredible destiny of Danich
Difficult living conditions but parents aware of the need for their children to study
Thach Danich is 25 years old and a 2019 graduate of PSEI Business School in Retail Business Management. She currently works at Hu & Mann Trading Co. Ltd as an assistant manager. Danich lives in Phnm Penh, in the Sen Sok community, with her parents, her grandmother, her two older brothers and her younger cousin.
Before joining PSE, her family lived in their grandmother's house in very difficult conditions. At that time, only her two parents earned an income. Her father worked in construction and had occasional jobs, and her mother sewed, which was the only stable income the family could rely on.
The ground floor of the house was often flooded during the rainy season, making it unlivable, with dirty water, lots of insects, snakes, and the risk of electric schock... So, they were forced to live on the 1st floor, which was quite small. Her family didn't have enough money to eat properly, so her two brothers often went out to catch fish, and Danich was in charge of finding vegetables that grew naturally, such as water lilies and mimosa. It was then Danich who prepared dinner for everyone, as her parents were at work and her grandmother was very old.
Despite these very difficult conditions, Danich still thanks her parents for always having the will to take their children to school and for forcing them never to miss a day of class. In fact, it's quite rare in families like Danich's for parents to realize the importance of school, and most force their children to do odd jobs to bring home an extra income. Danich never had to do this and was able to attend public school until she passed her grade 9.
An opportunity at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh
Thanks to her ranking, Danich has had the opportunity to study for a Bachelor of Arts in the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh for four years in 2019. The aim of this university is to educate the women of Asia, so that they may become the new leaders of tomorrow and transform the society in which they live.
This experience taught her a great deal, particularly in terms of opening up to others and discovering other cultures.
At first, she was nervous about the idea of going to a new country for four years, but they were three students from PSE to go there, and their teacher accompanied them to Bangladesh. It was a real challenge, and today Danich is very proud to have graduated from this university and to have overcome her fears of going into the unknown and moving away from her family.
Today, she has returned to Phnom Penh to find a job and help her family. We had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her experience in Bangladesh.
How was your come back in Cambodia ?
"I felt so happy when I came back to Cambodia after I graduated because I really missed my family, teachers and friends. This experience changed my mindset. If I compare my knowledge in the past and now, I feel that my opinion has become more widely held, that I think more critically, that I know more about different cultural backgrounds, and that I have more opportunities for study and for work.
In the future, I would love to work at PSE to give other children the chance that I received a few years ago. I want to lift children out of poverty and give them the best education possible. Papy and Mamie are like parents and saviors to me, because without them I wouldn't be who I am today. They are like superheroes to the poor children of Cambodia. They have helped us so much over the years without ever asking for anything in return. Thank you for your support for Cambodian people, especially poor families like us, to change our life for the better!"
A success made 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 sponsorship to ensure the sustainability of the association's programmes. The commitment we make to the children is strong: we lead them from misery to a profession!
The comprehensive care we offer the children is long-term. We commit ourselves to the end and do not leave any child by the side of the road.
A special thanks to Nieves Segovia Bonet and Fernando Alonso, from PSE Spain, who initiated and supported this initiative.