He soon becomes a dad for the first time, and Lim Ratha cannot wait to share the joy with his family.
There’s his own family - the mum who brought him up singlehandedly, his aunt and grandparents - his family-in-law who treat him like their own son, and his CCF family, the colleagues in his Sponsorship team at Cambodian Children’s Fund.
Ratha grew up without a father. His dad disappeared during the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand when Ratha was three years old; there has been no sign of him since.
This meant that Ratha grew up in a loving but female-dominated family without a strong male role model. He has little memory of his father.
In less than two months, Ratha will become a dad for the first time to a son. He is determined to be the best father to his own boy.
“I feel like such a new dad. I didn't know how to be a father since I didn't have one myself. However, working at CCF and seeing Scott's [Neeson, the founder of CCF] love for the kids has inspired me to be a good dad and give everything for my baby.” he says.
Ratha believes his childhood gives him an insight into the children helped by the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF). Many of them grow up without a father or mother, and he sees firsthand how having a sponsor can brighten their lives.
“I can feel how the children need it [having a sponsor]. Sometimes, the family in the community has no idea how to show their kids love and warmth. Inevitably, the kids feel lonely; they feel they are missing something. So, making a connection with a sponsor means so much. They love having someone who cares about them,” he says.
Ratha attributes his compassionate and empathetic nature to his upbringing predominantly with women.
These qualities have made him very effective in his first role at CCF as a Sponsor Relations Officer, where he acted as the intermediary between the child and sponsor, and in his current job as Sponsor Liaison Coordinator organising sponsor visits and tours.
He’s also learned from diverse past experiences, such as interning with UNESCO and working as a barista and bartender, which have shaped him into the man he is today.
My mum has been raising me as a single mum since I was three
His parents worked as chefs in Thailand but returned to Cambodia two months before Ratha was born. They settled in the countryside of Kampong Cham province.
“During the conflict between Cambodia and its neighbour, my dad got lost, and he has never been found again,” says Ratha.
“I still have a photo of my dad, but it is hard for me to recognise his face. My mum has been raising me as a single mum since I was three years old.”
Ratha’s mum moved to Phnom Penh shortly after the disappearance with her son, sister, and parents. She found work as a chef in a five-star hotel and supported the whole family.
After graduating from high school, Ratha was hesitant to pursue further education. His mother wanted him to go to university but arranged for him to work as a waiter in a restaurant before he was promoted to bartender.
“It was a struggling period of my life; I saw a different world, and it was tough to imagine,” says Ratha. “I realised that without education, you cannot survive well. I spent a year there and knew I had to return to school. I now understand that my mom intended to have me work there to demonstrate that I shouldn't give up on my education.”
Ratha has experienced the transformative power of education, enabling him to relate to the journey of children whose lives are changed by schooling at CCF.
Ratha went on to graduate from university with a degree in International Relations.
While in university, he worked as an English teacher to support his studies and also actively volunteered. He participated in the United Nations (UN) Youth Development Program, traveling to rural Cambodia to engage with young people. He then joined UN Women Cambodia, working in the LGBT department to promote inclusivity. Subsequently, he secured an internship with UNESCO Youth Envoy.
CCF is the right place for me, especially the Sponsorship team
In 2019, during his final year at university, he secured a position at CCF as a Sponsor Relations Officer. Witnessing the living conditions of impoverished children and families in his country was eye-opening.
“I was totally shocked,” he says. “I have never experienced living under the scorching sun or enduring the rainy season without shelter. I have never endured a life without enough food or lived amongst garbage.
“I started seeing and feeling what the community is and what our society is really in need of. I like to see the young people grow, as well as the better community, so I think CCF is the right place for me, especially the Sponsorship team.”
Ratha enjoys his current role at CCF, considering himself a 'Happiness Officer' who spreads joy to children (and grannies) and their sponsors by bringing them together to meet in person.
He also enjoys taking sponsors on a CCF tour to demonstrate their support's impact.
Smart, personable, and very likable, it's no surprise that Ratha is eyeing a career in diplomacy in the future and continuing his education with a Master’s degree.
Education changes everything
For now, he’s happy at CCF.
“Being in CCF has changed me a lot, both in how I behave and my way of thinking. As an only child, I was a bit spoiled. After working with CCF, I realized the importance of family. I started thinking about my family. I understood that they needed me, too. You have to try hard for your life, for your family, and for your community as well.”
This includes giving back to his mom, who is still working as a chef, and supporting her.
Ratha, who also credits his wife’s support for being the wind beneath his wings, wants his son to have the same opportunities that he did.
“The main point is education will change everything. Whether you are in the countryside, in the bar at night, or kids at the dumpsite, education is the key to change. I was the family of a single mum but education meant I could have a better life,” he says.
Ratha intends to be the role model for his son that he never had from his own dad. Although he missed having a dad, he says, "I feel fortunate. I am proud of my mother and my family and am proud to have been born into this family."
Ratha’s mother must be very proud of him, as would his Dad, no doubt.
