Sopheak woke up before the sun, as she did every morning. The rooster's crow echoed through the village, and she could hear her mother already working in the kitchen.

Their house was small, made of wood and thatch, but it was home. Sopheak's father had built it with his own hands when they first moved to this village ten years ago.

Breakfast was simple: rice porridge with a few vegetables from their garden. Sopheak's mother always made sure there was enough, even when times were hard.

After breakfast, Sopheak walked to school with her younger sister, Srey. The path was dusty and long, but they walked it together every day.

School was Sopheak's favorite place. She loved learning new things, especially reading and writing. Her teacher, Mr. Vuth, always encouraged her to dream big.

During lunch break, Sopheak shared her food with friends who had less. Her mother had taught her that sharing made the food taste better.

After school, Sopheak helped her mother in the garden. They grew vegetables to sell at the market, and the money helped pay for school supplies.

In the evening, Sopheak studied by the light of a small oil lamp. Her mother sat beside her, sewing clothes for extra income.

Sometimes, when the lamp was too dim, Sopheak would read by moonlight through the window. She didn't let anything stop her from learning.

On weekends, Sopheak helped her father in the rice fields. The work was hard, but she learned the value of patience and persistence.

One day, Sopheak's teacher told her about a scholarship program for students who worked hard. She studied even harder after that.

When the results came, Sopheak had won the scholarship. Her family was so proud, and her mother cried tears of joy.

Now Sopheak studies at a better school in the city. She misses her village, but she knows that education will help her family have a better life.

Every morning, Sopheak still wakes up before the sun. She looks out the window and thinks about her village, her family, and her dreams.

She knows that no matter how hard life gets, the sun will always rise again, and hope will always exist.