Sonai Phon

School Project Manager

Story

Sonai Phon, who is from Kampong Thom, is one of the first members to join the Xavier Jesuit School project team led by Fr. Ashley Evans, S.J. Her background is an example of how the Jesuits and Cambodian youth have influenced and helped each other. She has not only worked with Fr. Ashley but also many other Jesuit priests on various occasions –through her volunteer work at the Light of Mercy Home Children’s Center and Banteay Prieb Vocational school, involvement in the evaluation of Catholic Community Student Center in Phnom Penh, assistance with translations and organization of the MAGIS program, among other things.

After graduating from university, she has been working for various NGOs in Phnom Penh. Her success exemplifies the influence of Jesuit education in inspiring compassion, generosity, selflessness, and faith.

The decision to leave the comfort of her residence in Phnom Penh to join the Xavier Jesuit School in the rural province of Svay Sisophon did not come easily. Turning down attractive job offers from large NGOs and against the advice of many of her friends and even her mother, was difficult.

In making her decision, she said, “I chose this place (Svay Sisophon) in order to work with the poor. I find peace when I think of working for and with them. I have dreamt of learning how to love, how to share, how to care about others and how to understand their needs and to not just think of myself, and this was the perfect opportunity.”

Having grown up in Cambodia who experienced first-hand the lack of quality education in her country, she has a clear vision of the new Xavier JesuitSchool. “This school will not only focus on providing technical and academic knowledge, but also teach love, morality, and compassion. This is especially important because the current rapid economic growth in Cambodia tends to make people selfish and to follow material success. I hope the new school will change the atmosphere, bringing joy and happiness into the city.”