Meet our Community: Dara

Dara at home with his mother.

Today, we want to share with you the heartwarming story of Dara* and how HHA’s preschool program has transformed his life.

When Dara first joined our preschool program, he and his family were living in extreme poverty, struggling to make ends meet. They lived in a small bamboo and palm leaf shack, barely able to provide for themselves.

Despite these challenges, Dara was eager to learn, but he initially struggled in class. However, with the support of his parents and teachers, Dara persevered and became the top student in his class. He even transitioned to public school and is now studying in grade three!

Dara’s passion for learning has grown, and he now attends HHA’s Khmer language program and English level one class after school. He spends his mornings studying at public school, and his afternoons reviewing his lessons and reading in our library. This supportive learning environment has boosted his confidence and allowed him to thrive academically.

Not only has Dara benefited from HHA’s programs, but his parents have also taken advantage of our workshops on parenting, domestic violence, health, traffic law, and money management. They even participated in our Home Food Garden Project and now grow vegetables to ensure their family is well-fed.

Thanks to HHA’s programs, Dara and his family have been able to build a new home to replace their bamboo shack, creating a safe and stable living environment for their family.

Nita, Dara’s language teacher, speaks highly of him, saying, “Dara is a very good student. He always comes to class early and reviews the lessons. In the class, he listens attentively to me and is willing to do homework and exercises. It’s not hard at all for me to teach him as he already has an open mind to get new knowledge.”

Stories like Dara’s demonstrate the power of education and support to break the cycle of poverty. HHA is committed to providing education and resources to those in need, and we invite you to join us in our mission to make a positive impact in the lives of Cambodian families.

*name has been changed