From Little Steps to Big Dreams: Six “Heartprint Originals”

It’s hard to believe that it’s been basically a decade since we opened the doors to the Heartprint Community Centre. Back then, we were still figuring things out — setting up our first programmes, welcoming our first families, and trying to create a space where every child felt safe, valued, and encouraged to learn and dream a little bigger.

Today, we’re celebrating six young people who quite literally grew up with Heartprint. They’ve studied, helped, volunteered, tutored, played, laughed, and sometimes cried within our walls — and now, they’re all at university. This is a community victory — one built on the support of our donors, the dedication of our staff, and most of all, the strength and determination of these young adults who refused to give up on themselves or their futures.

Let us introduce them:

Ley Ley

Ley Ley first came to Heartprint about eight or nine years ago. You may remember her from an earlier newsletter Her parents were working in Thailand at the time, and she carried the majority of responsibility for her younger siblings.  We knew the children needed their parents and offered to build them a home if they would return to Cambodia, which we did, and they did. That secure home and the presence of her parents provided stability that gave Ley Ley the freedom to focus on her own path. Today, she’s in her second year studying Interior Architecture in Phnom Penh. It wasn’t an easy move — her parents wanted her to stay close to home — but she stood her ground with quiet courage and said, “It’s my time.” And it is.

Davy

Davy was one of our very first kids at the original Heartprint House. She was sponsored to the local English school and was part of the first Bong Srey (Big Sister) programme, alongside Ley Ley. With hard work and some extra tutoring at the Community Centre, Davy earned a sponsored spot in a GCSE program in an international school, where she kept climbing. Now she’s studying Tourism Management at university in Siem Reap, staying close to family while building a future that combines learning, community, and hospitality.  Mark this prediction: our Davy will be a real force in the Kingdom’s hospitality community.

Thida

If you ever came by the Centre on a Sunday morning, you’d probably find Thida already there at 8 a.m., tutoring younger kids in math. She was the reliable “go-to” for anyone who needed help — and she still is. Even though she didn’t get into the math-teaching track she originally wanted, she pivoted with the same determination that’s always defined her. She’s now studying Management in Phnom Penh, proving that success isn’t about one straight path, but about how you handle the turns. She’s quite the expert driver!

Both

Both is one of those people everyone gravitates toward — kind, steady, and always ready to help. He also earned a sponsored spot to an international school and worked his way up to become School Captain in his final year. Even with his sponsor offering to pay his university fees, Both decided to sit for a scholarship exam anyway — and won a 30% scholarship on his own merit. He’s now entering his first year of Architecture at the same university as Ley Ley in Phnom Penh, and is still inspiring the next generation of Heartprint kids to aim higher. 

Sokla

Sokla joined Heartprint as part of our Youth Group in the early days and has grown into one of our most confident young leaders. She’s finishing her first year of studies in Communications while also working as a teacher-in-training at the Centre. Because of her studies, we’re creating a Communications Officer role for her — a chance to gain real-world experience in her field while continuing to give back to the community that helped raise her. We know she will make us all better communicators!

Srey Ka

Rounding out our “Six Originals,” Srey Ka is now in her third year studying to become an English teacher. She teaches our Community Centre beginner’s English class — dubbed the “Flowers Class” — and is part of our Heartprint HECS programme, which helps students pay their university fees up front.  They then contribute a regular, predetermined fee from their earnings from working with us to a special account that helps pay the next year's university fees.  Her success is already creating new opportunities for others to follow.

There is so much to celebrate! 

From our first house builds to a thriving Community Centre, these six young people represent what Heartprint has always been about: creating opportunity, one person and one family at a time. They’re proof that when a community comes together — donors, volunteers, teachers, parents, and students — amazing people grow.

And speaking of community — our annual Heartprint Christmas Celebration is just around the corner! 

This annual holiday event has become a beloved tradition for our kids and families — a day of laughter, music (so much music!), games, and gifts that might be the only ones many children receive all year. Each child gets a gift package filled with a toy and fun treats, and practical essentials like school supplies and hygiene kits.   (Cambodia, as you know,  is primarily a Buddhist country, and we never attempt to cultivate any other beliefs in our community.)

If you’d like to help us make the magic happen again this year, we’d love (and need) your support.  This year we aim to provide 420 packages.  Please help us meet our goal! 

And here is a fun video from a Christmas Past at Heartprint.

Thank you for being part of the Heartprint family. Every success has your Heartprint. 

With love,

Your Heartprint Family