A future
devoted to care.
As a boy, Rithy could see no way out of life on the streets. At fifteen, he set himself a goal: to become a doctor.
Read his storyA future taking shape
His ambition reached beyond becoming a doctor. He wanted people who could not afford treatment to receive the care they needed.
Photo note: The people pictured are not identified as Rithy, and the photographs are not presented as events from his life.
When the future
felt out of reach.
Rithy’s parents had separated. His relationship with his mother was difficult. His father, whom he loved, had always treated him well.
After both parents died, Rithy felt sad and hopeless. He went to live with other boys on the streets and developed a drug addiction. He could not see a future beyond his circumstances.
World Vision found him and brought him to its Street Children’s centre. Eight months later, he moved to Hagar for long-term care.
He was 12 years old.
Room to learn.
People to grow with.
At Hagar, Rithy had the opportunity to study. He enjoyed both the challenge and the chance he had been given.
He learned English, computer skills and how to play music. He made friends with other young people who had also come from difficult backgrounds. Together, they began to feel hope for the future.
At fifteen,
a goal took hold.
Rithy decided he wanted to become a doctor. He successfully completed high school, then began medical school through Hagar’s Education Assistance Programme.
By the time this account was written, he had completed his fourth year of medical studies. He was also mentoring other young men in Hagar’s recovery programmes.
The boy who had once felt there was no hope for his future was studying towards a profession devoted to caring for others.
My big goal in life is to abolish the gap between rich and poor in Khmer Society.Rithy
Care should be
within reach.
Rithy had seen people suffer because they could not afford medical treatment. Even a relatively small cost could be more than they had.
He wanted his medical education to help change that.
-
01
Finish his studies.
Complete his medical education and put his training to use.
-
02
Reach rural communities.
Work with an NGO to provide free medical care and treatment to people living in poverty in rural areas.
-
03
Speak up for equal treatment.
Engage with government to challenge discrimination between rich and poor.
These are the ambitions Rithy described in the source account.
A wider view.
“This is my real desire
for the future.”
Rithy
From the opportunity to learn came a commitment to medicine, and a hope that others would receive care regardless of what they could pay.