28 Years Old
Village: Kop
Commune: O'Chrou
District: O'Chrou
Province: Bantheay Meanchey
Training: Barber and Motorbike Repairer
Injury: Polio
Syvoun is a double graduate of the Lom Orng training centre, despite his young age. He saw an opportunity in his community to make both businesses a success in his one shop. He sees five customers per day as a barber - though by 9AM on the day I spoke to him he had already seen seven! This is the backbone of his dual business, as he only makes around 2,000 Riel per day repairing motorbikes. He simply has not got enough parts yet to really build his repair business. The markets are just too far to travel to on a regular basis to buy in the parts he needs.
With his two jobs, he saves around $20 per day, which intends to use when he gets married next year. Syvoun cares for his mother who is also a polio sufferer. Despite having six brothers, none of whom suffer from polio, he is the only one who can afford to care for their frail mother.
The motorbike repair traing was more difficult for Syvoun, but he new that he needed both courses to make a successful business in his community. Now the 165 families in his village prefer him as their local barber.
Another confident, determined young man that seemed years older in experience and knowledge than most 28-year-olds I have met. He seemed to have a clear picture of what he wanted in life, and was not hesitating in getting it! With all this in mind, without the help of Lom Orng, brilliant young men like Syvoun would be left helpless and alone in these remote areas.