When Vannak walks through the Svay Rumpear Health Centre in Kampong Leaeng, Cambodia, she does so with pride. As a midwife, she greets expectant mothers with warmth and assurance, guiding them through one of life’s most vulnerable moments. But her presence here is more than professional, it’s personal. It’s a testament to how far she, and her community, have come.
Twenty years ago, medical support like this didn’t exist in Kampong Leaeng. The roads were flooded, food was scarce, and girls like Vannak were expected to stay home, marry young, and forget about education. But Vannak’s story defied those expectations thanks to the unwavering belief of her mother, and the life-changing support of a sponsor like you.
“I used to struggle for food, but even though I’m not rich, I am able to live comfortably. I can also send my children to school.”
Growing up in a remote village, Vannak’s childhood was marked by hardship. Her family often didn’t have enough food, and the road to school would flood up to her knees. Yet her mother, a farmer, held a radical belief: that education was the key to escaping poverty.
Even when Vannak cried over having no allowance for school, her mother insisted she go. That belief laid the foundation for everything that followed.
In 2003, World Vision identified Kampong Leaeng as one of Cambodia’s most vulnerable areas. Vannak, then in middle school, was selected for sponsorship. It began with the basics schoolbooks, pens, and supplies she desperately needed.
“I felt happy to have a sponsor because they provided books and pencils, which I used to write two or three subjects per book. These were essential for school, and I didn’t want to ask my mother because we were struggling at the time.”
But what truly changed her life was the encouragement she received from her sponsor.
“The sponsor would write to me, asking how I was doing, and that encouraged me. First, he asked about my well-being. Second, he motivated me.”
That encouragement became her cornerstone, especially during the difficult years of university, when she sacrificed basic comforts to fund her studies.
Vannak always dreamed of becoming a teacher or a doctor. But during her studies, she learned about the high fatality rates for mothers and children in rural areas. That knowledge steered her toward midwifery—a profession where she could make a direct impact. Today, she’s doing just that. The health centre she works in is now a trusted place for maternal care, a far cry from the past when women delivered at home and relied on traditional medicine.
With the help of sponsors, Kampong Leaeng saw the introduction of clean water systems, sanitation facilities, health training, and maternal care. But the most powerful change was in mindset. Parents began to value education. Girls stayed in school. Families turned to clinics for healthcare.
Impact Highlights:
- Parental support for education rose to 53% (vs. national average of 36%)
- Grade 3 reading ability increased to 55% (from 29% in 2013)
- Agricultural production and employment opportunities improved
- Local committees, cooperatives, and children’s clubs still active today
Today, Vannak is not only a midwife—she’s a leader in her community’s continued development. She’s part of a growing network of former sponsored children who are now teachers, healthcare providers, and changemakers.
People like Sunleur Srimchan, now a commune council member, are shaping the future of Kampong Leaeng. World Vision’s model of community-led development aims to transition out after approximately 15 years, leaving behind empowered communities. Kampong Leaeng is a shining example of that success.
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Too many girls are still denied the chance to succeed. Sponsorship can change that.
When you sponsor a girl, you help remove the barriers that hold her back—giving her access to education, protection, and the opportunities she deserves, so she can write her own future.
Join the movement to sponsor 100 girls by 11th October, International Day of the Girl.