A little more than a year ago, Ilay graduated from university and left Little Hearts. She is now 25, living independently, and working as a furniture designer, building a career in a field where she can combine her creativity with the skills she developed during her studies.
Ilay works in Ta Khmau, a town in Kandal province just south of Phnom Penh, for a company called Rona Wood Solutions, which specializes in the manufacture of custom furniture, cabinetry, wooden structures, and doors.
“I’ve been working at Rona Wood for almost four months. We design all kinds of furniture depending on what our customers want,” she explains. “I got this job through a friend who was studying with me at college. I left my previous job as a jewelry designer because furniture design is more closely connected to what I studied. I feel that this job gives me a better opportunity to use the skills I learned in my degree in Interior Design.”
“It’s going pretty well so far!” she continues. “I’m learning a lot, especially about design, materials, and creating practical and beautiful pieces. It can be challenging sometimes, but I really enjoy it, and I’m happy to be gaining more experience.”
What she enjoys most is being able to turn ideas into something real: “I like being creative and turning ideas into actual furniture. I also really like the people I work with. Everyone is friendly and supportive.”
But having a job is only one part of Ilay’s new life. For the first time, she is also managing a home and a daily routine of her own.
“Living on my own at 24—I turned 25 yesterday—feels like a big step into adulthood,” she says. “I’m learning to be more independent and responsible for my daily life. I have to manage my work schedule, prepare my own meals, clean the house, do the laundry, go grocery shopping, and manage my money.”
These are the challenges that come with that independence. But Ilay also appreciates the freedom that comes with making her own decisions, solving problems, and organizing her time.
“Sometimes it’s very challenging because I have to handle everything by myself, but I also enjoy the freedom. Overall, I feel like living on my own is helping me grow and become more responsible.”
And while Ilay has built a life of her own, Little Hearts has certainly not disappeared from it. Indeed, just last month she started coming back to Little Hearts every weekend to volunteer. She spends time with her younger brothers and sisters, leads them in activities, and helps the staff look after the kids on the weekends. It’s a simple thing, but it says a lot about what Little Hearts means to her.
“I’ve been there since I was 12, so Little Hearts has been a huge part of my life. It’s not an organization to me. It’s home. I grew up there, made many memories, and learned so much from the people around me.”
When asked about her favorite memory, Ilay finds it difficult to choose one. “Honestly, every moment I’ve spent there was special,” she replies. “The older I get, the more I understand and appreciate everything Little Hearts has given me. When I was younger, I didn’t always understand the meaning behind the lessons, the care I received, and the experiences I had here. Now, I look back and realize how much those moments shaped who I am today.”
That perspective has also changed the way Ilay looks at the younger children who are still growing up at Little Hearts. Her advice to them is simple: enjoy what you have now.
“When you’re young, you might not always understand how special the moments you’re living through are,” she explains. “Enjoy your childhood and don’t be in too much of a hurry to grow up. Make memories, have fun, learn new things, and appreciate the people who are there for you.”
She also reminds them that they don’t have to have everything figured out: “You don’t have to be the best or have everything figured out. Just keep trying, keep learning, and take one step at a time. Believe in yourself and be proud of every little step you take.”
Perhaps this is one of the most meaningful parts of seeing our children grow into young adults: the lessons they received gradually become lessons they can pass on to the younger ones.
There are still many things Ilay hopes to do. One of her goals is to travel to Belgium and finally meet some of the people who have supported Little Hearts throughout the years.
“I would love to meet everyone, thank them in person, and experience Belgium for myself. It would mean a lot to me.”
For now, though, Ilay is taking things one step at a time: working, learning, becoming more independent, helping her family, and finding her way back home to Little Hearts on the weekends.
