Nowadays, I am living with my single mother, my two younger sisters and one brother in a small ragged cottage that we rent. Before being sponsored by the Bong Paoun Project, my whole family worked as scavengers. If I studied at school in the morning, I would help my mom collect rubbish in the afternoon. When I studied in the afternoon, I collected rubbish in morning and in the evening.
My younger sister and I went together to collect rubbish at Doeum Kor Market up to about 8 pm. During that period, the living circumstances for my family were extremely tough, especially during rainy season. During this season not much wasted material can be collected. Sometimes we got just only $1.25 for our three meals per day for all5 of us. If we were had good luck, we got up to $ 3.75 a day. Moreover, if the rain was coming, we were freezing and not welcome to stay under any roof at all. My sister and I absolutely had no energy and did not feel like studying or even listening to the teacher.
Years later, there was a sister who came to my house and told us about the project which supports street children to go to school. I was very delighted to hear and excited that my mother signed the contract with the project so that me and my sisters do not have to go back on the street to collect rubbish again. Now I can focus more on my study, because I don’t need to worry about the money for my education anymore. Besides schooling, I join some activities at church with other children especially at weekends. Although I am still living in the same ragged cottage, I have the peace of Jesus in my heart!
Leapheng & his Bong Synan, March 2011