Story provided by Vichheka Sok and photos by Sopheak Kong, World Vision Cambodia.
He is only 14, but carries a burden that no child should ever have to bear.
Day and night, Sokkong Voeung, a Cambodian, labours at a brick factory. His job is dangerous, consisting of clay lifting, carting, drying and carrying brick blocks into hot furnaces.
He risks getting his hands caught in clay cutting machines, and coughs up blood from carrying such heavy loads. Still, he must continue to work as he has no other choice.
Sokkong bears the burden of his family’s survival, as they are dependent on his income. His parents had divorced years ago, leaving his mother as the sole provider for four young boys. To make ends meet, the two older boys, Sokkong and Sokchan, dropped out of school to work in the brick factory with their mother. The family earns less than US$0.90 (about S$1.30) a day.
“I know it’s very hard work for my children. Losing their father at such a young age is painful for them,” says Sokkong’s mother, Kim Oun, 46. “I cry when I see my children starve,” she adds.
Sokkong and Sokchan are not the only ones who cannot go to school. The younger boys, Sokchet, nine, and Sokchen, seven, have never attended school, as the family simply cannot afford it.
“I thought about changing jobs, but I’m unable to since I have no place to stay and cannot afford rent. This factory gives us a room to stay. Although it is small, it’s better than nothing,” explains Kim Oun.
Things took a turn one day, when a World Vision team visited the brick factory where Sokkong and his family work. The team negotiated with the factory owners to allow the children to attend school or to incorporate some informal education into their daily work routine. The factory owners agreed.
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Working in a brick factory exposes Sokkong and many other children like him to various risks for injuries, and keeps them away from school. |
“I was so happy when World Vision told me that my children can receive education and support. I want them to become educated and learn to read and write,” Kim Oun shares with excitement. “I could never have done that by myself.”
Sokchan excels in school and is made the class monitor. “My favourite subject is literature,” he beams.
“World Vision not only helped my children attend school but also provided my family with food assistance and house wares. Now I have enough rice, pots and pans, mosquito nets, blankets and other necessities,” says Kim Oun happily.
World Vision also provided Sokchan and Sokchet with new clothes, school supplies, nutritious food, clean drinking water, and a bicycle. Finally, the two boys can go to school – on their new bicycle!
Want to help children like Sokkong and his brothers gain a new lease of life and hope for the future? You can! Click here to learn more.
