At Flame we believe that it is not just what we are doing but who does it that is important. Many of our staff have already traveled the same journey that our clients are on. Who better to lead the way?
INTRODUCING: Sok Suo
WHAT IS YOUR JOB WITH FLAME?
I am a Mobile Classroom Leader, I teach at Bong Trebak and Prek Hol communities.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR FLAME?
I have been teaching at Flame for three years.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
No matter what we face, the children are always excited to learn, and so I am happy to be able to teach them.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I read, listen to audiobooks and music. I like spending time with my friends and especially having new experiences.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND/HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR FLAME?
I was born in a Province outside oh Phnom Penh. I come from a family of six, however, sadly my youngest brother has now passed away.
Growing up my family was extremely poor, making my parents unable to pay for me to go to school. In order to survive, my siblings and I would go looking for vegetables and fish by the river close to our home. We would take everything we could find to the market and bring home our earnings to support our family and to hopefully buy us some time in school.
For about two years I would go to the local church, where I would hear and study English. I loved to do this, as my family had nothing, making this opportunity to learn English something I was very thankful for. I enjoyed the learning, and my friends and I would practice speaking English with each other in our spare time.
Eventually, I graduated Grade 12 and came to Phnom Penh where I continued learning English in a church. I did this for one year. During this time, I heard about Flame Cambodia.
Hearing about this organisation made me realise that I wanted to work in the Flame school and be able to help the children living in the Phnom Penh slums. I felt that I could relate to the children who Flame was helping, as I was the same once. My family had been so poor, and our lives had been very hard.
Knowing how difficult it has been for my parents to find money and survive, it has motivated me to work hard myself, and find a good job that I can support my own family with. My family always supported me in my studies, even though we had no money for it. I can’t describe how much I appreciate them for doing this, it inspires me to work harder still in order to repay them. I can understand the heart of those people who are poor. I can understand their desire to learn and make something of their lives. For this reason, I continue to work hard to succeed and in turn help others like me.
When I first applied to Flame, I applied to be a Mobile Library Leader. In this role, I would read books to the children in the slums. As time has gone on, we progressed to become a Mobile Classroom where we had chairs and more materials. We had about 35 students coming to learn. The purpose of the mobile library is to bring education to the children in the slums who would not have the ability to go to regular school. The children love to come and are hungry to learn. We teach them English, Khmer and math. Along with their academics, we also teach them games and play with them. Our aim is to help these children read, critically think and understand the world around them. We want to give them hope and a perspective of what they can aim for with their lives. Often children born into a slum do not dream or have aims, as their parents have none either- life is seemingly restricted to the slum and lack of money. As a member of Flame, I try my best to tell them about what they can become, and teach them how to have a good life, to be a good teacher and overall person. I want to be able to help and support them the best I can.
By the mobile classroom been outdoors and subject to the weather and outside factors, it can sometimes be very challenging to teach.
After I finish my day working with Flame, I drive Tuk Tuks for some extra money. I give my family this money I earn so I know they have something to help them live better. I would love to go to university one day, however, I am unsure yet if I will ever have enough money. While I work, I am also going to my church and learning there and I teach myself things in my spare time. For now, I am content with this, although one day I hope to afford university.
My father is not a Christian, but the rest of my family is. We all go to church together, so for this, I praise God. I know that God has blessed my life. He supports me and I believe that the Bible teaches me many things and helps me live a good life. I have developed goals for my life, which are to help the children as much as I can. No matter how hard it is, I will do my best to teach and show the children love and hope.
WHAT MESSAGE OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE?
In the past, I have been asked why I go into the dirty slums to help children. My answer to this is this: when I help, it makes me feel fulfilled. I know what it is like to be them, and if I do not go to help them, who else will?