From sponsored child to change-maker

The Inspiring Tale of Rina. 
At the age of 21, Rina is a symbol of strength and resilience. A story of turning pain into power.

Rina faced vulnerability early on. At the age of eight, her mother migrated to Thailand to provide for the family, leaving Rina with a father suffering from mental impairment. She recalls, “I was so upset I cried every day for my mother, and I always wished my father could comfort me and teach me to read and write like other dads.” This young girl from Prasath Ballang district, Kampong Thom province, grew up with her aunt and cousins. 

A simple piece of paper became a turning point in her life, at an unexpected time: “I became a sponsored child in 2011, and I remember receiving a birthday card from my sponsor. It was the first time someone ever acknowledged my birthday,” said Rina. “My family and I didn’t even know it was my birthday. That moment motivated me to make them proud and show that their support is not going to waste.”

"You’re never too young to make a difference, and your past doesn’t define your future." Rina, changemaker, aged 21.

Despite financial struggles and her parents’ absence, she never gave up on her future. Mirroring her community’s development, Rina’s life changed for good. In Prasath Ballang, World Vision’s programme helped school drop-out plummet from 17% to 0.85% in the past 15 years, while enrolment rates increased from 74% to 94% over ten years.

Over 33,500 people in the communities were upskilled to ensure every child is protected from any form of violence, and to make their voice count. For girls like Rina, it meant life-changing opportunities: “I first joined activities like the reading camps and later became a reading facilitator. I was nervous speaking in front of community leaders,” Rina recalls. “But with the support from World Vision, I found my voice. Now, I want to ensure that every child has access to the education and care I received.”

Rina’s inspiration and commitment led her to be elected Community Accountability Facilitator (CAF) by eight villages in the provincial network of Kampong Thom. “I never imagined I’d be elected at the provincial CAF network at my age,” she says. “It showed me that you’re never too young to make a difference, and your background doesn’t define your future.” 

Today, Rina works to improve social services delivery in Kampong Thom. She is helping to shape a three-year development plan for her community, focusing on transparency and sustainability. With her mother now back home, Rina currently pursues her university education.

She dreams of a future where every child has access to education and equal opportunities in Cambodia.