Phirum, 39 years old, lives with her two school-aged children in the Svay Chek district, in theBanteay Meanchey province of Cambodia.
Phirum stopped studying at 17 years old in grade 10 because her parents could not afford to support her studies and to work on the rice field as her parents were older and needed help. At 19, she and her husband went to Thailand for the promise of a good job in construction. Within a year, they returned home as they were cheated out of pay and were exploited for free labor.
Phirum learned about the trainee recruitment news from her village chief, and she enrolled in the Workforce Development program with Nomi Network Cambodia once she heard about it. Phirum was dedicated to completing the program and supportive of her fellow classmates. She completed the program by attending the 15-day training on Sewing Operator Skills at the Cambodian Garment Training Institute in Phnom Penh. She secured a job with Techno Park Co, LTD in Poipet. She quickly advanced and received a promotion to a General Assistant.
“I am proud of my job. I never thought that I had a secure job before. I keep saving 100 USD every month. I have 500 USD in my savings account, which I opened while attending FP1. With this salary, I can support my children in going to school. Thanks to Nomi Network Cambodia for giving me this opportunity to have safe employment.”, said Phirum. She shared, “I wish (more) women in my community would have the opportunity to get a secure job so they can improve their living conditions to support their children to go to school.”
