Grade 12 students graduate

We are pleased to share some great news: each of the eleven Grade 12 students from Chanleas Dai commune passed Cambodia’s national exams and graduated high school.
Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, these students were studying hard with other youth from surrounding areas at the only high school in the district, Kralanh Senior High School. Ten of the Chanleas Dai students also chose to be actively involved in working with each other and with PEPY at regular twelfth grader support meetings.  Activities at these meetings included supporting each other’s studying, discussing the details of a variety of dreams and the challenges they might bring, and exploring possible career paths.
Since graduating, all of these students have continued to keep busy applying for scholarships. Three have successfully earned scholarships from outside PEPY. One through a group called JWOC, another through a school, CIST and the third from Mekong University. The CIST scholarship, awarded to a member of PEPY’s Young Leaders Club, is an all-expense paid two year Associate’s Degree program in Information Technology.  The JWOC scholarship includes a full four years of university study and was received by the former president of Volunteers for Community Development , a voluntary action group formed by young people in Chanleas Dai.  The scholarship from Mekong University in Siem Reap covers 75% of education costs.
PEPY’s own Scholarship Program will support two additional students who are dedicated to giving back to their community.  We are currently interviewing various applicants and look forward to sharing more news with you soon.
This year has seen a big increase in the number of Chanleas Dai students able to continue to post-secondary education, and with such dedicated learners, we expect this number will continue to grow, though. We’re delighted to see this year’s graduates take such full advantage of these opportunities for their future.