Meet Our Students
Stories, Photos and Inspiration
Chum Chhunny's Story
"What do You Want to Be When You Are Older."
My name is Chhunny, and I am 32 years old. I was born into an underprivileged family in Toteoung Village, Anlong Veng district in a small hut with palm leaves for walls and rooftop. I remember when growing up we lacked food and received no education. The lingering effects of the Khmer Rouge regime and the Civil War weighed heavily on us. As a young boy, I felt that my situation was very dark.
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My luck turned around when I was 9 years old, and I found an orphanage in Siem Reap that was taking in children in difficult situations. With only 1 set of clothing, I moved into the orphanage. It was very exciting to finally be able to study and learn. For the very first time, I felt very secure and stable to be provided food every day.
When I was in 9th grade, the orphanage's previous supporters stopped giving money, so I decided to drop out of school and secure my livelihood by becoming a security guard in Siem Reap.
Then one day, I remember seeing a man in a professional suit with a briefcase, and I remember thinking: I want to be successful like this man. So, I made the quick decision to leave my low-paying job as a security guard, and I asked the orphanage if they would take me back so that I could continue my studies and hopefully, one day become successful. By that time, the orphanage had secured a new financial backer, The Lippman Family with Marie and Harley Lippman, and I was able to return to my studies.
Throughout high school and college, Marie and Harley Lippman supported my education in architecture. Today, I am proud to share that I own the architecture firm N-Arch Studio Co Ltd which currently employs 5 people. I also founded the construction company GIE Construction Company which currently employs 40 people. In addition, I founded the real estate company Green I-Empire Realty which buys and sells real estate plots. I also own a cashew farm of 10 hectares. And, most importantly, I am proud of my small but amazing family, my wife Chum Hanae, and our son Chum Rithisak.
I am very grateful to Marie and Harley Lippman for my education, lodging, food, and support throughout my years of studies. I am especially grateful for their source of inspiration. They would always ask me, "What do you want to be in the future?" This inspired me to go for the career that I have and to keep going despite the challenges that appear on the road there.
Sreytouch Horn's Story
My name is Sreytouch Horn
I was born in Kompong Cham province in Cambodia. When I was a little girl, I had the opportunity to move to the Siem Reap orphanage that was sponsored by Marie and Harley Lippman. In 2012, I finished High School, and then the Lippmans paid for me to fulfill my dreams of studying nursing at The University of Puthisastra (UP) in Phnom Penh.
In 2015, I interned at the Cambodian-Russian Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh, and in 2016, I graduated from college in Nursing and worked for a private medical clinic for a few years. In 2019, I got married and then I got the opportunity to start my own medical clinic.
I am so grateful and appreciative to Marie and Harley Lippman for their support. Thanks to them, I am fulfilling my career and life aspirations.
