38 Years Old
Village: Prochea Torm
Commune: Poipet
District: O'Chrou
Province: Bantheay Meanchey
Training: TV / Radio Repair
Injury: Amputee - Due to a motorcycle accident where he was struck down by a passing vehicle.
Sorn believes his injury was inflicted deliberately by a powerful figure in his community, but also believes it was a case of mistaken identity, as he does not know why someone would want to hurt him.
Before his repair training, Sorn and his wife made desserts to be sold at the markets. This was their only source of income after he was injured.
Now Sorn rebuilds broken television sets predominantly, with one set taking three days to rebuild, and he resells them for around 60,000 Riel each. During his training, his father built his workshop for him in front of his house, so he would have somewhere to start a business as soon as he completed his training.
Sorn has three boys, all at school, and all were conceived after his amputation. Thanks to his new thriving business, his boys all have new uniforms to wear to school, and can enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle and future.
Sorn had a smile that lit up his workshop. He was busy working when we arrived at his shop, and was hard at it when we left. He told his story of hardship to me without ever losing his energetic expression, and kept that bright smile the entire interview. Being around someone so happy and cheerful left me smiling the whole trip home. That kind of pure joy in his work and life is almost contagious, and would make even the most serious person have to smile back!