Panharith

My name Panharith, usually all people in my family or my friends call me shortly “Rith”.

I am 18 year old. I was born in Ksach Poy village in Cambodia. My father is a policeman and my mother is a house wife. I have two brothers and only one sister. They are student s that they study at public school.

In February 1991 my mother give birth to me. It was difficult for her because my country just finished the war all people are so poor, including my family also. After the war my father can’t found a job, He has an old bicycle to transport vegetables for sale. Every day he received little bit money from selling. Actually, the war also damaged my house and my family got a small house for staying on.

In 1997 I was lucky that my father allowed me to study at a primary school that was so far from my house about 3 Km. My father always said to me “you should study hard, because knowledge can help you in the future. I haven’t much money … .”.

Every day I spend thirty minutes walk to my school. I never think, “I have a new bike cycle”, because my family so poor. 6 years ago I finished primary school and went on to secondary school. Fortunately, my father apply for a job, he was a policeman but unfortunately he hasn’t salary. A year ago just, he has a little bit salary and then he gave me a new bike cycle, so I was so happiest but unlucky distance from my house to my school increased 5 Km. It is about 8 Km for me. Although it is far away but I try to do and I don’t want to stop study.

Three years ago, I finished secondary school, and I had a certificate diploma. When I came into high school so it was stranger than secondary school, I should be study extra time may be 6 time per day. All extra time we should pay money all students. But I was happy, because I have a good friend, they always help each other. 2 years ago I finished class grade 10 and 11.And presently I am studying at high school grade 12 students, so I have 7 months before I do final examination. But I am worried and always ask myself ”Could I continue my study my studying to take degree?” In Cambodia if we don’t have a degree, we lose all hope to find job. Every year the students can’t find job when they finish high school, because some of student was so poor.

In conclusion, my stories are so long. But I have summarized it to make it easy to read, but I am happiest to write it Thank you for that spend time to read my story from begining until the end. THANK YOU.
Rith