Written by Phatsa Thort
From the jungle to a country of prosperity. Do you believe a little girl who lives in a thatch house that could collapse at anytime would come to study in Australia? She would never dream, never dare. Just living day by day, having three meals a day was enough for her.
Since I was born until the age of eight, I lived in the Archaeological Park of Angkor Wat. I remember that at that time my parents asked strangers to live on their land and then built a little leaf cottage there. I have two siblings, and I’m the oldest. In that house, the bedroom was also the living room and served as the dining room, where we all slept, dined, and interacted with each other. It had a small separate space for the kitchen but no proper toilet. I had never known how big the world was or what my future would turn out to be.
However, my parents believed in “education”. My father was a Tuk-Tuk driver and my mother was a housewife. Despite us being poor, they still sent us to school and ensured we received a proper education. They knew that only education could drive us out of poverty and help us live a better life. At that time, my siblings and I studied Khmer, our mother tongue language, and English as a second language.
As a child, I had nothing to repay them with and did not want to disappoint my parents, so I studied diligently and achieved strong academic results. This became their motivation to continue fighting and supporting us.
In 2011, my family met Kim Michelmore and Malinda Melbourne, whom I am now staying with in Australia. They sent us books to read, helping us understand another part of the world, and gave so much support.
In the same year, we met Rachel Cohen and Booth, who helped fund our small restaurant and invested in our education.
This huge decision to start a business was because my parents realised they could not continue supporting their children if they remained the same.
Years passed, and the little girl who knew nothing of the world kept moving forward. Then came 2022 – the period of both triumph and struggle. While the world was fighting against COVID-19, my family was fighting to survive. Our small restaurant, the symbol of our progress, was forced to close. Income disappeared. Uncertainty returned. But I refused to let that be the end of my story.
While the world was in lockdown, I locked myself into my studies. I worked harder than ever before, knowing that my family’s sacrifice was on the line. However, hard work never disappoints, and that year became the moment the foundation finally held. I rose from the jungle to the height of academics. I achieved an “A” grade on my national high school examination.
This achievement granted me the honor of meeting the Prime Minister of Cambodia and receiving a medal, a motorbike, cash, tablets, books, and other education gifts. I pushed myself harder and I did it. I secured a 100% scholarship to study Architecture at CamTech University in the capital city of Cambodia for four years. And in my third year, I won a scholarship exchange program to Indonesia for one semester. For the first time in my life, I flew beyond my country.
During my journey to finish my bachelor’s degree, I also stepped into the professional world through an internship at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, a highly respected government job in Cambodia. After finishing, I also received an offer for a position there.
Then in 2026, another impossible moment became real. I crossed the ocean to further my studies in Australia at Charles Sturt University for a semester, undertaking the rigorous path toward a Master of Business Administration. This was through the vision of Kim and Malinda, who saw potential in me that allowed me to reach far beyond the borders of Cambodia.
They had a vision: they wanted me to experience the life of a university student in Australia, to immerse myself in a new culture, and to explore the vast opportunities this country offers. Together with Rachel Cohen and Booth, they have been my pillars of strength. They supported me financially during my exchange to Indonesia, and they continue to stand by me now as I navigate my studies here in Australia.
Sometimes I stop and ask myself— how did the little girl from that thatched house make it here? From the jungle of Angkor Wat to a university in Australia, my journey has not been easy. It was built on sacrifice, resilience, and the belief of people who never gave up on me.
And now, I finally see a place where I belong. A place where I can grow, contribute, and build my future. This is not just a story of where I came from. It is the story of where I am going—and I am determined to continue my life here in Australia.
I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this journey. I am incredibly grateful to have them in my life and for their investment in my dreams. This is the greatest gift I have ever received.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
