Banteay Prieb is the Jesuit vocational school for young people with disabilities in Cambodia. In this interview, we get to know Sreng Channarin, a student from the sewing class.
Please introduce yourself.
Hello. I’m Sreng Channarin from Kandal Province. I am 27 years old and studying sewing at Banteay Prieb. I am the fourth child of six.
How was your life before coming to Banteay Prieb?
When I was nine months old, I got high fever and my legs started to bend severely. When I walked around the house, many neighbours asked me what happened to my legs. When I was 15 years old, I was sent to the centre for People With Disabilities (Kien Khleang Hospital – a non-government organisation). I got a surgery and stayed for two months at the centre. The surgery gave me huge pain but didn’t help much. At that time, the centre staff told me about Banteay Prieb. At first, my parents were afraid of sending me to another village because I’m a girl. However, as I showed my passion, they changed their mind and started to support my studies in Banteay Prieb.
How do you find learning a new skill?
At first, the lesson was pretty difficult for me. I had a hard time sewing straight lines. But after a few weeks, I could see my improvement and it excited me. I got my self-confidence little by little. I told myself, “I can do it! I am better than before!” Recently I made two shirts. I am very proud of them and wear them quite often. Now I am working on a dress shirt. I still need more improvement, but I will give it my best.
What is your goal?
I want to make money by sewing and doing nails at a salon. My sister runs a salon. She taught me how to do nails. I wanted to learn another skill so I could work and earn more in the same place. My parents can’t work because they are too old. All I want is the happiness of my family. In the future, I want to use my skills for local people’s benefit, too.
How is the community life in Banteay Prieb?
I learned to enjoy community life. I am very happy with all the people I live with because they always help me. With friends, I play, cook, decorate and sing together. In the evening, 10 to 20 friends gather to play games outside. We play tag and other traditional games. Nowadays, we practise songs for the upcoming Homecoming Day. I feel a little nervous about singing, but I will do my best.
You look very enthusiastic about learning. Do you want to learn other skills as well?
My second dream is to become a translator. So I want to learn computer skills and more languages like English, Thai, Korean and Chinese. Because of my origin, I am eager to learn Chinese. In fact, my father’s parents are Chinese! My father can’t speak Chinese because it was too expensive to learn. Meanwhile, I’ve learned a few Korean sentences, thanks to the Korean volunteers. [Banteay Prieb]