Steung Meanchey, Phnom Penh: In a remarkable achievement, two students from the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) in one of Cambodia's most impoverished areas have been awarded scholarships to study at Australia's prestigious Trinity College.

With this announcement, the total number of CCF students receiving full scholarships for Trinity College, a part of the University of Melbourne and the top-ranked university in Australia and Asia, has reached nine.

The new scholars, Bun Malita (18) and Len Leang (20) were celebrated at a special dinner held in Phnom Penh on July 7th, which honored the successful partnership between CCF and Trinity College. They are set to join the July intake at Trinity College.

L-R CCF students Len Leang and Bun Malita

Three other students from CCF, Som Vannita, Meas Kanha, and Nhoem Vanneit, were invited as special guests to the dinner, which saw the presence of Scott Neeson, Founder and Executive Director of CCF, and Ben Waymire, Senior Regional Manager at Trinity College, at Malis Restaurant.

During his speech, Scott Neeson expressed his pride and acknowledged the phenomenal accomplishments of the students, remarking, "I'm in a really privileged position to have known you all since your first day at CCF. Some of you were just four or five years old. What you've accomplished is phenomenal, and I couldn't be prouder."

L-R CCF Founder & Executive Director, Scott Neeson, with CCF students Len Leang and Bun Malita 

CCF, a non-governmental organization based in Steung Meanchey, provides educational opportunities and a pathway out of poverty for 1,800 children from deprived communities each year. Its flagship high school, the Neeson Cripps Academy, offers a high-quality education that enables students to meet the necessary standards for international scholarships directly from Grade 12.

Since 2017, Trinity College has offered life-changing opportunities for CCF students through full scholarships for the Foundation Year program, which prepares students for their future degrees.

Ben Waymire from Trinity College expressed his admiration for the student's achievements, stating, "These students have not only succeeded but they've excelled. I thought it was time to come together and celebrate some of the achievements of the students. I think it's cause for celebration and to recognize the achievement of such a fantastic project."

 L-R, CCF Founder & Executive Director, Scott Neeson, with CCF students Bun Malita and Len Leang, and Ben Waymire, Senior Regional Manager for Trinity College

Sokchannin Kram, CCF's Senior Education Manager, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Trinity College, which provides CCF students with exceptional opportunities to study overseas. Kram expressed optimism for more CCF students to secure scholarships in the future.

Sophy Ron, the first CCF Trinity Scholar, graduated from the University of Melbourne last year with a degree in media communications and international relations. She now works at a private school in Australia. Sophy's journey began when she was rescued from the Steung Meanchey garbage dump at the age of 10, having never been to school.

Scott Charles, the Deputy Warden at Trinity College, expressed immense pride in partnering with CCF and the University to offer scholarships to these remarkable Cambodian students. He expressed excitement about welcoming the next batch of scholars and praised the graduates who have successfully completed their studies.

CCF Trinity Scholars undergo a rigorous selection process based on CCF criteria, including strong academic performance, good school attendance, and active involvement in community voluntary work.

For the 2023 scholarships, students had to pass math and English tests before a panel interview. The final two students were chosen from a shortlist of ten applicants.

Bun Malita, who joined CCF at the age of six, emerged as an exceptional young leader. She secured a place at the Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) annual event and became the editor of the CCF student magazine. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Malita, who will be traveling to Australia for the first time, stated, "I am so thankful for this opportunity. My mum is very proud of me. I will study hard and fulfill my dream. I am looking forward to Trinity." Her dream is to become one of Cambodia's pioneering female filmmakers.

CCF student Bun Malita 

For Leang, who has never left Cambodia or boarded an airplane, the opportunity to study at Trinity College represents a significant change. Facing personal hardships, including the loss of her mother and her father's occupation as a trash scavenger, Leang expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about experiencing a new culture outside Cambodia.

Nhoem Vanneit, CCF's first male scholar, overcame adversity in his childhood by scavenging through trash to survive after the death of his father. After winning a Trinity scholarship in 2022, he recently became the valedictory speaker for his graduating class in Foundation Studies. Vanneit will now embark on a Bachelor's course at the University of Melbourne. Reflecting on his journey, he said, "What inspires me is that more than 13 years ago, I was working hard on the garbage dump to earn a little money. I always tell myself that your background only defines where you came from but doesn't define where you will go. Getting the scholarship was one of my dreams come true. Being at Trinity College has been an incredible journey for me. I am grateful for the gift of education."

Meas Kanha, who completed her Foundation Year online in Cambodia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, is currently in her second year at the University of Melbourne. She described this scholarship as a life-changing opportunity that transformed her life.

Som Vannita, another CCF Trinity Scholar, is in her third year, pursuing a double major in Management and Marketing, and Commerce. Recognizing the profound impact of the partnership between CCF and Trinity College, Vannita stated, "It has a really special place in our hearts and in all the students at CCF. Because of this opportunity, we are able to dream big. It's really life-changing for us, and now we can keep dreaming bigger and bigger."

The success of these extraordinary students showcases the power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering a brighter future. The ongoing collaboration between CCF and Trinity College continues to open doors of opportunity, empowering disadvantaged Cambodian youth to realize their full potential.