Sovann Hong

Sovann Hong (Vice President) is currently undertaking Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, Australia under the support from the Australian Award Scholarship (AAS) program. In Cambodia, he got a Bachelor degree in Business Management (2008) and Master of Development Management (2012).

Sovann started his working life with the Ministry of Interior in 2001 before he moved to NGO sector in 2004. His entire work with the NGOs was engaging in programs, which provide comprehensive services, including health and education to marginalized children; their families; and their communities. For more than eight years with the NGOs, Sovann played many different roles from a field worker to a project manager.

Being a child of a large family of eleven brothers and sisters in a country village, Sovann experienced his childhood life in poverty. However, with efforts and commitment from his parent, everyone in the family was sent to school (at least up to secondary school). Since his childhood, Sovann enjoyed very much listening to adults’ talks/dialogues especially of his uncles and elders who were educated from the Buddhist philosophy.

This inspired him to dream about getting himself educated and to be able to talk just like them. However, due to poverty, at times he felt lack of self-esteem, confidence and hopelessness. Fortunately, having opportunity to involve in the NGOs has given him more power and encouragement to go on and appreciated more on what he has got as compared to those of his clients.

Never forget about his childhood experiences struggling to get motivation in pursuing high education, Sovann appreciates his opportunity to be part of CANS, which allow him to contribute to children’s education. He believes that through CANS, many children and young people are able to hear voices of motivation, inspiration and guidance as well as assistance to create and pursue their own dreams. Sovann wants to see CANS’s Joy of Reading project continues to grow and touches the lives of many more children of Cambodia in particular those in rural areas.