Chhin Sreyleak, 20, third-year student at the Institute of Foreign Languages

“Since I am a student, I do not have a lot of money to give to my parents; however, I plan to save the salary that I got from my part-time job, which I work only one month to buy a white shirt for my mother. During the Pchum Ben celebration day, I will get up in the early morning to help my mother to cook, and then take the food to the pagoda.”

Em Vuthy, 23, first-year student at Pannasastra University of Cambodia

“On Pchum Ben, besides cooking food for monks and driving my parents to the pagoda, I will also give my parents some money that I have saved and gifts – clothes and so on – in order to show my parents how grateful I am. Sometimes, I also run a bath for them.”

Ear Boneath, 20, third-year tourism management student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh

“Pchum Ben is coming soon. After class, I could take my mother to shop at the market for vegetables and meat to cook, as well as other things to give to monks: sugar, milk, candles and incense sticks. I will also drive my parents to the pagoda and nearby tourist destinations. I will also take a day off to accompany them on their travels out to the provinces.”

Min Sopheak, 19, third-year student of information technology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

“As a student, I can’t afford to give my parents money on Pchum Ben. Everything that I have, including my study, is supported by my mother. On Pchum Ben, I'll reduce my mother’s workload by cooking food for monks and praying for my father, who passed away. I will also kneel on the floor and salute my mother, asking her to forgive all of my faults and the mistakes I have made unintentionally. ”

Hong Sreynet, 22, first-year student at Cambodian Mekong University

“Normally on Pchum Ben, I, as the daughter in the family, often get up very early in the morning and go straight to the market to buy vegetables and meat for my parents’ meal. Then I take the food to the pagoda. Sometimes, my father is busy with his work, so I drive my mother to the pagoda. I often spend all morning with her.”