Today, 21-year-old Sopheak stands confidently at the front of a classroom, teaching general knowledge and English at a private school in Banteay Meanchey Province. To his students, he is a dedicated teacher. Few would imagine that just over a decade ago, he was living on the streets of Thailand after being trafficked and forced to beg.
Born in November 2005 in Banteay Meanchey Province, Sopheak grew up in a family facing severe hardship. His mother eventually took Sopheak and his siblings across the border into Thailand in search of work and survival, where they were forced to beg on busy streets, bridges, and outside shopping centres. Day after day, they spent long hours asking strangers for money, often late into the night. Instead of going to school, Sopheak’s childhood became a daily struggle for survival.
In 2014, Thai authorities identified Sopheak as a victim of human trafficking.
He spent time alone in a child protection centre in Thailand before being repatriated to Cambodia. Following an assessment by Poipet Transit Centre (PTC), Sopheak was referred to Damnok Toek’s Drop-In Centre. He was then placed in the Reception Centre, a part of the Alternative Care Project, which provides immediate protection, care, and specialised support for children who have experienced trafficking, exploitation, abuse, or other forms of vulnerability. There, he began rebuilding his life in a safe and supportive environment.
Rebuilding a Childhood
Sopheak arrived at Damnok Toek in April 2014 facing many challenges. After spending many years in Thailand, he could barely speak or read Khmer. Yet he was determined to learn. He enrolled in Damnok Toek’s Non-Formal Education Programme at Grade 1, where dedicated staff supported him to rebuild his confidence in a safe and structured environment. Damnok Toek provided Sopheak with everything he needed to begin rebuilding his life. He received safe accommodation, three nutritious meals each day, clothing, school supplies, healthcare, life skills training, and opportunities to take part in creative and recreational activities. For the first time in years, he had the opportunity to simply be a child again – to learn, grow, and dream about his future.
Preparing for the Future
As Sopheak grew older, Damnok Toek adapted its support to meet his changing needs. In 2017, he joined the organisation’s long-term care programme, the Transitional Care Facility, where children receive ongoing care and education while developing the skills and confidence needed for a safe and independent future.
Recognising the importance of maintaining family connections, the social work team began tracing Sopheak’s family. Through collaboration with local authorities and community partners, they successfully located his family in a remote village in Banteay Meanchey Province. Although his family lived in difficult conditions, reconnecting with them remained extremely challenging. Their home was in a remote area with limited access to education and employment opportunities, making full family reintegration difficult. Returning home would likely have meant Sophai having to leave school and sacrifice the future he had worked so hard to build.
In 2019, Damnok Toek transitioned Sopheak into Group Home to ensure that he could continue his education while living more independently and maintaining contact with his family. In 2023, he successfully passed Cambodia’s lower secondary school examination before continuing his education at Build Bright University, where he is now in his fourth year studying Information Technology.
Alongside his university studies, Sopheak now teaches general knowledge and English at a private school. Every day he stands before a classroom of students, demonstrating just how far he has come. His journey is a powerful reminder that, when the vulnerable are given safety, stability, and the opportunity to learn, they can overcome even the most difficult beginnings and build futures of their own choosing.
Looking ahead, Sopheak says, “My dream is simple. I want to build a better future for my family. From the challenges I have faced, I hope my education and career will help me to support my family.” Sopheak’s story shows that no child’s future should be defined by the circumstances they are born into. From a child forced to beg on the streets to a university student and teacher, his journey demonstrates the life-changing impact of protection, education, and opportunity. Today, he is not only building a future for himself but also helping shape the futures of the next generation.
*The name has been changed to protect the individual’s identity.
