Trajectories by Sreyka Smile

Zamei was a motivated high school student until a sudden spinal injury left her paralyzed at seventeen. After years of pain, rehabilitation, and lost schooling, she slowly rebuilt her life with support from Sreyka Smile. Today she has a degree, a job, and new plans for the future. This episode follows her journey back to hope and possibility.

Half of Cambodia’s population is under 25. This new generation—the first to grow up without war—dreams of building a better future. In this episode, we meet Soursedy, Rachana, and their brother Linh, three young adults supported by Sreyka Smile. Their stories reflect the hopes and challenges of a country in transition and the spirit of a generation determined to move forward.

Tha, a resilient woman in her sixties, has been with Sreyka Smile for a decade. A hospital worker and pillar of the NGO, she dedicates herself to the marginalized children of Phnom Penh, guiding them with warmth, discipline, and care. In this episode, she shares her story of survival under the Khmer Rouge and her mission to bring comfort, structure, and joy to the next generation in Cambodia.

For many years, Sreyka Smile has devoted part of its budget to helping children with disabilities gain greater independence. Sareth is a young girl with cerebral palsy, likely caused by a lack of oxygen at birth. In this episode, we also meet Jeppe, the Danish physiotherapist who supports her on her path toward a more autonomous life.

“I want to belong, but I have no place of origin to return to". Once trapped in forced child labor, Sayorn shares his story of loss, resilience, and hope. Thanks to Sreyka Smile, he now trains as a hairstylist, dreaming of returning to his birthplace.
Written & presented by Kris Janssens. Intro by Stella D. Bosch. Ref: Disclosure study on child survivors of violence.

Chankhna, a 26-year-old medical student from rural Prey Veng, is preparing for a prestigious internship in France, the final step of his eight-year journey. Supported since childhood by Sreyka Smile NGO, he overcame immense challenges to pursue his dream of becoming Cambodia’s first child psychiatrist. Rooted in his village and inspired by a promise to his late grandmother, he is determined to return home and address the country’s mental health crisis.