The Power of Sponsorship

Applause filled the Neeson Cripps Academy as families and friends gathered to celebrate a milestone moment. On stage, 23-year-old Youk Sok Si Ne — Srey Nei — smiled proudly as she marked her university graduation.

In the audience, her mum and dad were watching. And by the stage stood her sponsor, Niall O’Meara, quietly taking in the moment with immense pride.

“It was an emotional moment. I feel very proud of Srey Nei and all that she has achieved,” says Niall.

After six years of sponsoring Srey Nei through the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF), Niall travelled to Phnom Penh to witness her graduate from university — a truly special moment for them both.

Having her sponsor at the graduation ceremony made her “feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” says Srey Nei.

Niall, originally from Dublin and now based in Bali, first learned about CCF through his brother, Aidan, who was already a sponsor with his wife, Fiona.

“It sounded beautiful. I loved the whole idea of not just giving to a charity, but actually having a connection with a child and hopefully seeing them go all the way through education and out of poverty,” says Niall.

Over the years, Niall sponsored several children. He first met Srey Nei when she would tag along on outings with her best friend, Meychou, Niall’s sponsored child at the time.

When Srey Nei shared that her sponsor could no longer continue, Niall didn’t hesitate.

“I said straight away, ‘If she needs a new sponsor, I’ll step in.’”

Now 23, Srey Nei has graduated with a major in Accounting and has already secured a job.

Throughout her studies, Niall’s role was simple but powerful.

“For me, it was trying to constantly encourage her and tell her she was doing great, which she was anyway. Whenever she had difficult spells, I’d try to give her a little perspective. I always said to her, ‘Just try your best — that’s all you can do.’”

For Srey Nei, that steady presence meant everything.

“He’s a really great sponsor,” she says. “He supports everything — my study, my motivation, and my speaking English. He has challenged me a lot,” she says.

It all came full circle in Phnom Penh, as Niall sat proudly at the Neeson Cripps Academy, CCF’s high school, watching Srey Nei on stage in her graduation gown and cap.

“It feels like the end of an era,” Niall says. "But I'm also very happy I was able to help her get to this point.”

Beside him at the graduation was his fiancée, Sreyneang, whom he met in Cambodia and will marry later this year. Pictured below with Srey Nei and her parents.

During visits to CCF, Niall has taken Srey Nei on outings and watched her transformation firsthand.

On one visit, he was shown the site of the former Steung Meanchey garbage dump, pictured below, where many CCF students once lived and worked.

“What struck me was the joy and fun the kids showed despite living in really difficult circumstances. They are still kids. They were coming up to me for hugs. It was an amazing experience. I’ll never forget that.”

Seeing the work up close confirmed what he already felt.

“When you see it, and you see the sincerity of everybody, and you see the impact, you know it’s making a difference. You’re not just giving and hoping. You can experience it.”

He believes sponsors play a bigger role than they may realise.

“For the kids, you’re actually a role model. The fact that you believe in them and try to encourage them is hugely important. Everyone needs someone who is consistent there for them.”

For anyone considering sponsoring through CCF, Niall says the rewards are immense — a powerful journey that is not transactional, but deeply relational.

“If you’re willing to put the time in,” Niall says, “even one email a month — you can totally change not just that child’s life, but the lives around them and the family they might have in the future. It’s the whole ripple effect.”