Sobin was born in Tboung Khmum Province, the eldest of six brothers. His parents worked tirelessly to feed their family. His father fished, climbed palm trees and laboured in stone quarries, while his mother sold fish and transplanted rice. Like many poor families, they valued education but simply could not afford it. One by one, all six boys left school by Grade 3 or 4 to help support the household.
Everything changed when Sobin’s uncle, a primary school principal who knew FLO well, brought him to us. Arriving at FLO was frightening at first. Away from his family for the first time, he felt lonely and uncertain. But he soon found a new home. Surrounded by caring educators and mentors, he completed his secondary education, learned English, Japanese and computer skills, and was supported through university.
After graduation, Sobin worked for seven years as a train dispatcher with the Royal Railway of Cambodia. Yet his greatest passion remained education. Inspired by the teachers who had transformed his own life, he opened private language schools in Kratie and Tboung Khmum provinces, bringing English, Chinese, Japanese and computer training to children who otherwise had little access to such opportunities.
