• Society

From Work at a Garbage Site to Studying in Australia, Malita and Leang Are Set on Building their Future through Studies

• By Teng Yalirozy
• August 12, 2023 10:30 AM

PHNOM PENH — After bleak childhoods working at a dump site in Phnom Penh, Heng Bun Malita and Len Leang are determined to build themselves good lives.  

Working in the Stung Meanchey landfill, Malita and Leang had hoped to get themselves and their families out of poverty through education. They are now in Melbourne, Australia, pursuing education at Trinity College on full scholarships.

Survivor of acid attack

Born in 2005 in Phnom Penh to a well-off family, Malita saw her life change when she and her mother suffered extensive burns in an acid attack when she was only three years old. Her mother was left blind and badly injured, almost losing the ability to function.

Her mother decided to leave the in-law family for a new life with Malita at the Stung Meanchey landfill. Malita’s two siblings were living with her father.

Malita was a shy kid who hid​​ away a lot. She never attended school, only going out to get supplies, and her mother stayed in her room, hiding her wounds since she didn't want anyone to see her scars.

In 2011, Malita was discovered by the Cambodian Children Fund (CCF) which provided housing and financial assistance as well as a chance for her to join the Education Program full-time.

“I don’t know what life would have become right now without the help of CCF,” said Malita. “I would have been a child with no future at all.”

She attended a public primary school and the Neeson Cripps Academy—a secondary education facility of CCF. She excelled as a student and a leader throughout her time at the academy, earning a spot at the annual Global Youth Leadership Summit and taking on the editorship of the CCF student magazine.

Malita is now a foundation student at Trinity College at the University of Melbourne. She is studying Media and Communications, hoping to become part of a new generation of filmmakers to contribute to the film industry in Cambodia.

“You can rest, but don’t quit,” said Malita who is optimistic about her future.

Coming to the city in pursuit of a better life

From Prey Veng province, Len Leang came to Phnom Penh with her family when she was five years old, in the hope of building a better life, away from poverty. She has three siblings, all girls, who joined CCF; two of them are still in school while their older sister works in Poipet.

Leang’s mother passed away when she was in sixth grade. Her father works as a scavenger to support the family.

Born in 2003, Leang was found by CCF when she and her father were looking for scraps and recyclables to sell at the city dump on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Leang and her family later were assisted by CCF for education and financial support.

“I never thought that I could have the chance to study this far,” Leang said. “With this opportunity, I keep striving for the better.”

Leang is also a foundation student at Trinity College, majoring in Management. She dreams of owning a supermarket where people from all walks of life would enjoy affordable food and products.

Education is the driving force of change for children at the garbage site

To date, a total of nine Cambodian Children Fund (CCF) students have been selected for full scholarships at Trinity College, which is part of the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Scott Neeson, CCF founder and executive director, said that the NGO helps 1,800 children from poor communities have access to education as a way to escape poverty each year.

In 2017, Trinity College started providing CCF students full scholarships for the Foundation Year program, which prepares students for a degree and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study abroad.

CCF Trinity Scholars are chosen from a rigorous selection process after meeting the CCF criteria to apply, which include strong academic performance, good school attendance and being actively involved in community voluntary work.

Students had to pass two English and math exams in order to be considered for the 2023 scholarships. Out of the 10 candidates that reached the shortlist, the last two students, Malita and Leang, made the cut.

“Keep standing up when you fall,” said Leang.

“Don’t be quick to give up,” said Malita. “Life is difficult, and we face different challenges. Please try hard and keep trying. I notice that most people always want to give up when they are challenged. I want to encourage them to think about long-term benefits and not to be short-sighted because we tend not to think that the struggles we are facing will lead to a better future. It’s a blessing in disguise. Take me as an example: I never thought that I would come this far.”