The Spotlight is on...Siphen Meas

Siphen Meas and PCV Andrea Doersam at an Art Olympics Event in Phnom Penh

Introduction:
Siphen Meas is a woman of many trades. She works as a local high school English teacher in Angtasom, Takeo while operating a homestay business at her residence amongst the rice paddies. In what little free time this allows her, Siphen holds free private classes for local students at a school she built on her property. She also assists and holds positions with Peace Corps and Books for Cambodia. Siphen is a well known leader throughout her village of Angtasom, she welcomes visitors from many countries to her home and teaches them about Khmer culture, they in turn share their knowledge and culture with the students that attend her school, an invaluable exchange of diversity for some of the poorest students in the community.


What activities related to Gender Development are you involved in?
Siphen serves as a role model for the youth of her community. Not only does she work at the local high school for 20 hours a week, she dedicates at least an hour or two everyday to her students that come to her home. Her evening class serves as a space for students to explore who they are. They are encouraged to be creative through art, writing, music, and dance. An outlet like this for students to utilize is not usually seen within local school systems, especially in the rural areas.

There is no discrimination amongst Siphen’s students, individuality and creative thinking are encouraged in order to provide them with a greater worldview. Many of Siphen’s students obtain a high level of English speaking throughout their time in her class, and many go on to attend Universities in Phnom Penh. This year Siphen is taking on 35 students, she accepts the poorest students within the community as well as students with an exceptionally high dedication and commitment to learning and studying.


How did you get to where you are today?
Siphen’s motivation to get where she is today was all self-driven, she grew up extremely poor in an environment where emphasis was not put on obtaining higher education. She began her career as a biology and chemistry teacher. She was curious to learn English so she could meet and communicate with foreigners, so she enrolled herself in private English classes which she attended part time. Eventually her skills lead her to a job as an English teacher for secondary school.

While working as an English interpreter (in addition to her teaching job), Siphen met a woman named Jennifer Wilson from New Zealand who was working with VSA as an early childhood advisor. This friendship sparked an interest in opening the Meas Family Homestay business after Jennifer’s family came to stay with Siphen at her home. Siphen’s homestay business has been operating since 2002, and is growing by a number of tourists every year, which is increasing the knowledge her students are able to achieve. Many student organizations, such as Pacific Discovery Company have been frequenting her Homestay since it first opened, these groups participate in community projects (such as building latrines, painting murals, creating and improving libraries). When Siphen recognizes a need, she will initiate a community project for visitors to help with. Many of her guests had heard about her homestay through word of mouth, but recently she has been featured in popular travel publications.

These experiences have lead her to where she is today, she will continue to strive to make more improvements within her community, and increase the understanding between foreign and Khmer cultures.


What do you think is the most important issue facing Cambodians today?
“As an educator, I feel very disappointed about the education quality of Cambodia and that it is dropping down, the number of stats in reports show high rates of passing, but the quality is not there.” Compared to when Siphen grew up, she thinks that students don’t care as much about their studies, they are not as responsible and do not want to work hard to study to pass exams and to obtain a higher degree. In general students are starting to value materialism more since the introduction of modern technology in Cambodia. The middle class people especially are very focused on gaining material items, in the past students went to the library to read, now they have the ability to use the telephone to find answers. Many people look up to the wealthy and this discourages people to be interested in working as teachers, it’s hard to find people willing to work hard in an area that will not make a lot of money. Also, corruption makes it so hard to get real work done. There are always people asking for money to do things they should do on their own, it’s a big issue for educators. Every school has it, when they have exams, students do not think they can do it on their own, teachers give answers for money and students cheat all the time. The ministry of education needs to change their attitudes to reflect the written law, it needs to be more strict and more fair.


What kinds of advice to you want to give the youth of Cambodia?
“I would strongly advise that they show respect and are responsible for themselves, this is of such high value. Be responsible for your actions and work in a positive manner.” Siphen became a teacher to share her knowledge, she wants to pass this on to the next generation, to help and support those that don’t have the opportunity to do it on their own. She recommends that the youth should be involved with society and share what they have learned with the community through their actions. For example, if they have a skill of growing a garden, they should help other villagers to learn the same and spread the wealth of knowledge. “Don’t be pessimistic!”


What is your favorite think about your country?
“I love my people. Cambodians are so friendly and open and want to share and help others. I love my country for its nature. We are lucky to be in tropical climate where people can live outside, no snow! People here have the freedom to grow what they want and live off the land.”


Anything else? Weird hobbies or talents?
Siphen likes to read new things, especially about history of different cultures and biographies. She likes to play games, specifically banana grams. Siphen also loves traveling; she has been to New Zealand, America, Japan, Thailand and is looking forward to going to Malaysia in the future!


Spotlight Interview Contributed by PCV Andrea Doersam