In the first part of Sarim’s story, we heard about how he travelled from poverty in rural Cambodia to a slum in Phnom Penh. It was there that he met one of ISF’s earliest staff members, who helped him to fulfill his dream of getting a real education. Sarim started in grade 1 at the age of 15. In this second, and final part, we will hear about the next exciting stage of his life.

“ISF was where I was finally able to chase the dream I had of getting an education. I might have to work collecting trash during the day, but at least I had class to look forward to. I didn’t have as many things as other kids, but education was something I really wanted. Learning was my biggest goal, and I knew that if I wanted something, I had to try hard.

“Football was a bit different. I didn’t start playing until I had already been studying for many years, but I found that it was my hidden talent. I still worked hard at it, of course, but it was easier for me than studying was. I started training with the ISF team very early on. They had only just started a proper Football Programme, and very soon I was made a captain.

“As I played more, I learnt to love it even more. I also realised how much it was helping me. That’s why, in 2016, I decided I wanted to be a coach. I wanted to promote football to the poorest people in Cambodia, like the people I lived with in the slums for many years. I wanted there to be equality because I could see that the few football opportunities there were in Cambodia only went to wealthier families. They would be the ones to get the good facilities and train with the best coaches, they would have the proper equipment and materials. I wanted to show poor kids like I was, that we could also play football.

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Photo credit: Boeung Ket Women’s Team

“It’s not just about football being fun, it also matters because it is good for health. I got a job as a coach quite quickly and started to coach a lot of teams for NGOs. I found I was good at understanding players with different needs, and I really liked passing on my skills and encouraging people. Then, two years ago, I got the chance to be lead coach for the women’s team of one of Cambodia’s biggest football teams, Boeung Ket.

“It can be quite difficult managing my time as a coach for ISF and also for Boeung Ket, but I love to do it. For me it is very important girls play football and do sports activities. I wish Cambodia had a bigger league for female players, just like overseas. But there’s still a long way to go. Sometimes their parents don’t want them to play because they are girls and the culture still thinks sport is just for boys. I try hard to encourage them, I tell them to find their passion in football and not focus on the challenges but on the opportunities.

“Two years ago, we did very well and came second in the league. It was a big surprise and I was very happy as was the team. Our second year results haven’t been so good. So, we have to learn to work even harder. I pass on some lessons from my life. I show how determined I had to be, and tell them a bit about my experiences—my struggles to help my family and to get educated. It motivates them. Mostly I tell them to set targets for themselves and work hard to achieve them. If you can succeed on your own terms, that’s the best success.”