Obstacle vs. Success
Tevy was born in Kratie province and has three siblings. She contracted polio at a young age, which resulted in a physical disability that significantly impacted her emotionally. She often faced discrimination—people would refer to her by her disability instead of her name, use hurtful language, or imitate the way she walked. Sadly, some relatives and neighbors did not support her education, believing that school was unnecessary for a girl with a disability.
Despite these challenges, Tevy was uplifted by the support of her immediate family—especially her grandfather; his words became a source of motivation. He would often tell her :
Although life presented many barriers, Tevy never gave in to hopelessness. She stopped worrying about how others viewed her and remained focused on her education. Her perseverance paid off—she graduated from high school in 2008 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management in 2013.
“I may not be able to leave you wealth or treasures, but I can encourage you to study. Knowledge is a powerful treasure that can guide your life, just like it does for others.”
After graduating, Tevy began working in the disability sector with various organizations. She spent five years at the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO), followed by two years with Women’s Radio FM 102, and three years with Action on Disability and Development (ADD). She is currently a program & finance assistant for People’s Action for Inclusive Development (PAfID). Her time at PAfID is especially meaningful to her, as it allows her to gain valuable experience in project management, financial processes, and public engagement—including opportunities to speak on national radio programs and represent her work as a presenter at national events.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Tevy is also a dedicated athlete. In November 2022, she won a national gold medal in badminton. She shared that she never imagined achieving such success in sports, as it requires both physical effort and strategic thinking. However, through mental focus and awareness, she was able to triumph. She proudly represented Cambodia in the ASEAN Para Games held from June 3–9, 2023, and continues to hope for further achievements in the field.
Looking ahead, Tevy dreams of one day becoming the director of a major electronics company in Cambodia—proving that with determination, barriers can be broken in both professional and personal pursuits.
Published: 22 March 2023