After dropping out in Grade 5, one ISF student celebrates his acceptance to study bioengineering at university. 

After extreme poverty forced LyEng out of Grade 5, he and his parents relocated to Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey, where they learned about ISF’s Education Programme. Enrolling in ISF’s Catch-Up Education Programme four months later, LyEng made a promise that he would utilise his education to help his family escape poverty.

Over the next ten years, ISF’s holistic programmes offered LyEng and his family the tools, resources, and support necessary for academic success. After graduating from ISF’s Catch-Up Education Programme, the NGO supported LyEng through his state school career with mentorship, English and ICT classes, free healthcare, daily meals, and monthly family nutritional support. 

After passing his Grade 12 exams in 2021, LyEng enrolled in Bioengineering at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. LyEng explains that biology and chemistry are not only his favourite subjects but courses that potentially provide incredible job opportunities. 

Reflecting on his accomplishments, LyEng says ISF has been instrumental in his success. ISF’s provisions have not only allowed him to stay in school, but the soft skill trainings, workshops, and social impact lessons have supplemented his state school curriculum. Through ISF’s extracurricular activities, he’s learned transferable skills like organisation, communication, and goal setting, which he will utilise throughout his University career. 

Interested in biotechnical fields such as microbial and enzyme biotechnology, gene technology, and plant cell technology, LyEng aspires to work for The Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), a Cambodian NPO research institution. Eager to start his University classes in 2022, ISF’s Employment Programme will continue to support him until he can sustainably support himself – offering a laptop, financial assistance, regular mentorship, and career counselling.