WALKING WITH THE EXCLUDED
By Zach Martorana, Communications Officer, Jesuit Mission Australia
When she was growing up in a village in northwest Cambodia, Jenny, now 22, understood the wider context of responsibility as the eldest daughter in a family of five. Her parents worked hard, but their limited income, coupled with the distance between her village and the city, meant higher education was out of reach, not just geographically but financially as well.
Jenny, standing second from left, with her family. All photos courtesy Jesuit Mission Australia.
She recalls: “My parents have two daughters. When I was growing up in this remote village, our financial situation made it difficult to pursue an education. At one point, I feared I would not be able to finish school because opportunities were so limited.”
But two education centres, both supported by the Jesuits at the Karuna Battambang Organisation, helped Jenny chart her life in a way that she had not thought possible. From grade 10 to end of high school, she was able to attend the Svay Sisophon Catholic Centre. She recalls, “I applied alongside a friend and passed the Svay Sisophon entrance exam.“
That was a key event in her life. She says: “Thanks to the generosity of Jesuits and later the Jesuit Mission Australia benefactors, I was able to complete my education. I lived (at the Centre) for three years while completing high school. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the national baccalaureate exams were adjusted, and we were all granted passing status by the government, due to the health crisis. Then I decided to study law. I did the entrance exam at the Jesuit Mission-supported Tep Im Centre to get a place to stay and a scholarship to study at university.”
Jenny studied law at the National University of Battambang for four years. The scholarship was much more than just financial assistance. It was the gift of opportunity; the gift of dignity and inclusion; the gift of a voice and choice in shaping her own future.
During her law course, she continued to live at the Tep Im Centre, one of six student centres run by the Battambang Education Project in partnership with Jesuit Mission Australia. The Battambang Education Project is committed to uplifting vulnerable youth in northwest Cambodia, providing students with scholarships, accommodation and holistic care so they can complete their university education with dignity and support.
At the Tep Im Centre, which hosts and supports young people as they complete their secondary and university education in Battambang, Jenny lived in a community built on mutual respect and encouragement. She gave back by teaching children, visiting people living with disabilities and volunteering as a translator at a local health centre. Having been supported to grow, she in turn supported others.
“I helped the community, taught religious education to children, and went to the villages to visit and help the disabled. In particular, I helped translate at the Yay Chi Health Centre for a year. During my time at the Tep Im Centre, I gained many new experiences. We lived like a family, shared joy and sorrow alike with each other, and loved each other like family members. Every Saturday, we participated in community activities like cleaning the centre and group cycling, and every night, we always spent 15 minutes praying to God. It was a good habit that made us feel relieved from our worries.
“After leaving the centre, I worked at a law firm for a year from 2024 to 2025. As a legal assistant, I learned something new and explored many areas, such as Cambodian and International law. I wanted to challenge myself, so I applied for a job at Bang Phy Ice Factory, Currently, I work there in the area of Administrative and Human Resources (HR) responsibilities. I am doing this to explore a new environment and earn a living. However, if I have the chance, I will fulfill my dream of becoming a professional lawyer one day.”