Woman who survived genocide, murder of family members, and poverty helps Cambodian kids go to school

[Amerigo Vespucci]

VIDEO @ the URL below.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/06/18/cnnheroes.ly.cambodia/index.html?hpt=C1

Ponheary Ly has survived genocide, the murder of several family members -- including her father -- and life in poverty. Today, she's working to build a brighter future for the children of Cambodia -- by helping them go to school.



Koh Ker, Cambodia (CNN) -- Ponheary Ly has survived genocide, the murder of several family members -- including her father -- and life in poverty. Today, she's working to build a brighter future for the children of Cambodia -- by helping them go to school.

"Education is important for me," says Ly, "because my father was a teacher."

Primary schools are free to attend in Cambodia, but not all children go. With most of the population living in rural areas, children often lack transportation to get to school -- and many families keep children home to help on the farm and earn money, said Ly.

Those able to go often must pay a small fee -- around $20 a year -- to buy uniforms and supplies, and many families can't afford it.

Cambodia is one of the poorest nations in the world, where about 40 percent of the population of 14.7 million live off less than $1.25 a day, according to World Bank.

"They don't have enough to eat," said Ly. "How can they have the money to buy uniforms and supplies?"

Ly, 47, is bridging that gap. She and her foundation are helping thousands of rural children attend school by providing them with uniforms, supplies and other services.

"I need them to have a good education, to build their own family as well as to build their own country," Ly said.