Studying Changes Writer Channimol’s Life
Bun Channimol is the author of the newly released book “I have to study” and head of the Sastra film production company.
- By Khorn Champa
- November 28, 2023 11:57 AM
PHNOM PENH – Bun Channimol is the author of the newly released book “I have to study” and head of the Sastra film production company.
Coming from a poor and at times homeless family, Channimol’s life was changed by education.
She is now CEO of Sastra film, one of Cambodia's most successful film production companies, known for its online streaming service featuring original, locally made films. The Sastra film app has 100,000-plus downloads.
Her family moved from Kampuchea Krom to Cambodia in 1997. However, she didn’t drop out of school because she believed that only studying could change her life and help her family and others.
She said her parents noted her eagerness to be an author when she was nine because in Kampuchea Krom, she loved to study the Khmer language at a Khmer pagoda in the evening with other children. It was rare for a girl study at a pagoda.
So, her family decided to move to Cambodia where it was easier for them to help make her dream come.
In Cambodia, her family moved frequently and became homeless sometimes because her family was frauded. People who borrowed money didn’t pay it back which led to many difficulties.
Because of financial problems, she had to take care of her siblings and earn money to help her parents. She had to sell snacks for money.
Channimol, the oldest of seven children, said when she was 10, she studied in the same 1st grade class with her two siblings who were five and six in school at Poipet city.
“To learn, I have to help earn money. My parents said you can help to earn money, but you mustn’t leave school,” she added.
As an outstanding student, teachers allowed her to skip some grades.
She said one day there were Japanese volunteers reading books for students. She became inspired by the books. She thought that just one story could give a child more power and that’s how her love of writing grew.
Later, she wanted to share this feeling with others through reading her articles.
When she was 17, Channimol moved to Phnom Penh alone. She studied at Santhormok High School. She was also working as a journalist.
“Learning is not just in class. Learn from people around, the workplace and books,” she said.
“The more you read, the more power you get for mental health.”
Wanting her experience to be an example for other children, Channimol wrote the book "I have to study", which is about her life experience.
It is her first book and she wrote it for two reasons. First, she remembered the Japanese volunteer reading the book that changed her life and inspired her to help others through books.
The second is she wants others to believe that studying changes future life because she is an example.
She hopes that "I have to study " will motivate and encourage Cambodian children to make learning efforts a priority for their bright future.
Aide et Action (AEA), an organization working on education Cambodia, has asked her to publish the book to distribute to 50,000 children across Cambodia after seeing this inspiring child.
AEA has a vision to mobilize all stakeholders in education (states, populations, NGOs, civil society, universities) to improve the quality of education and to assure access to quality education for all excluded populations.
Channimol has also written movie and drama scripts. She has produced around 500 titles including movie dramas, short films and music.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess.
