meet the maker
SORN SREYET
Sreyet is a mother of two who works hard to provide for her family. Her small home salon tucked away on a quiet backroad brings in very little income.
Four years ago she joined Heartprint Build A Future where she gained confidence learned new skills and trained as a hairdresser. She dedicated her time to learning even when she was not earning an income. She also attended English classes and completed hairdressing training through Hair Aid. Today Sreyet works full-time at Heartprint Hub earning a steady salary continuing to develop her skills and helping train other mums. She also earns income from selling her handmade products using both sources of income to support her children and her small salon.
Through Build A Future Sreyet has gained the skills and opportunities to build a more secure future for her family. Her children also attend the Community Centre where they can learn and grow.
Sreyet is not only creating a better future for her own children but also helping other mums gain the skills and confidence to build a better future for their families.
CHHIM SREY NETH
Srey Neth is a mum to a young daughter; she joined Heartprint Build A Future a year and a half ago after hearing about the programme from her sister. Often feeling lonely at home, she wanted to learn new skills, earn an income and connect with other women.
At Heartprint, Srey Neth discovered a love for creating handmade bags, jewellery and crochet pieces. She also attends English classes and completed hairdressing training through Hair Aid. Today she works full-time in the Heartprint Hub Hair and Beauty Training Academy, continuing to develop her hairdressing skills while helping other mums learn and grow.
Through Build A Future, Srey Neth has gained more than skills and an income. She has found confidence, independence and a supportive community.
Every purchase of her handmade products helps support her journey towards her dream of opening her own beauty salon offering hair and nail services and creating a brighter future for herself and her daughter.
NEANG RITHY
Rithy and her husband are a young couple working hard to build a better future for their family. Her husband is part of Heartprint’s building team and through Heartprint the couple received a safe home of their own.
Rithy joined the Build A Future program a year and a half ago, hoping to learn new skills and create more opportunities for her family. As a mum to a young baby boy Rithy enjoys coming to Heartprint where she has found friendship, happiness and a sense of belonging. She makes handmade jewellery and hair accessories, has learned English and is now training as a hairdresser. These new skills give her hope of earning an income and becoming more independent.
Rithy dreams of opening her own small street-food business. With the support of Heartprint, she and her husband are working towards a brighter, more secure future for their family.
SEN SOKPHAT
Sokphat is a mum of three who has faced financial hardship throughout her life. Before joining Build A Future she had never had a job or formal training and lacked the confidence to enter the workforce. She and her husband struggled to make ends meet living day to day on whatever they could earn.
Since joining Build A Future in 2021 Sokphat has gained new skills confidence and hope for a better future. For the first time she has her own bank account and is learning to budget and save. She enjoys making bracelets and necklaces to earn extra income.
Life has become even more challenging since her youngest son broke his leg in an accident involving a cow, making it difficult for him to walk. Sokphat continues working while caring for her son and supporting all three children. Despite these challenges she remains determined to improve her family's life.
PHING SAVIN
Savin is a mum of three who joined Heartprint Build A Future in 2024 after her small market shop closed during COVID. Wanting to earn an income to support her family she joined Heartprint to learn new skills and find new opportunities.
At Heartprint Savin makes bags necklaces baskets and earrings with sewing being her favourite. Beyond earning an income she has found friendship encouragement and a community of women who support one another. She dreams of developing her passion for sewing and fashion and creating a better future for her family.
Every purchase of Savin’s handmade products helps her earn an income, grow her skills and move closer to her dreams.
RUN CHAKRIYA
YE LEAKENA
We first met Leakena when she was 15 when Heartprint built her family a new home. Although she was loved by her family Leakena was shunned from most of her community. She had never been to school and she was kept at home or very close to it.
Leakena has Down Syndrome and in Cambodia, it is believed to be bad luck for a family if a child is born with a disability. The belief is they have done something wrong in their past life and our now living their karma.
Leakena was invited into the inclusion program ran out of the Heartprint Community Centre. She has thrived within the program. Through making items to sell within the shop she is showing everyone around her and her wider community that she is capable and a worthwhile member of society making a living.
RON SOKUNTHEA
NHO OE
Nho Oe is a devoted mum of four who joined Heartprint Build A Future after seeing how the programme helped her friend Sreyet. She wanted to learn new skills earn an income and create a better future for her children while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood.
At Heartprint, Nho Oe makes jewellery, hair clips, cards and bookmarks. She is also training at the hair salon to develop new skills and create more opportunities to earn an income. Through the programme she has gained confidence made friends and found a supportive community. Heartprint also provided her with a Baby Basket to help prepare for the arrival of her baby daughter.
Nho Oe’s handmade products helps her earn an income develop her skills and move closer to her dream of providing a brighter more secure future for her children.
VON IS