PHNOM PENH: A song written by a Cambodian student to encourage a close friend struggling with self-doubt has resurfaced years later as a message of empowerment for women, released publicly to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
The song, “Believe”, was written by Yem Sovannry (pic) when she was a teenage student supported by the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF).
Originally created to encourage her friend Thy Khav during a difficult period in their youth, the English-language track has now been re-recorded and released with an official music video highlighting the enduring power of friendship and self-confidence.
CCF released the video on March 8, presenting the song as a message of resilience and encouragement for women and girls facing challenges or self-doubt.
Sovannry said she wrote the lyrics for Khav after noticing her friend struggling with uncertainty about her future.
“I wrote the song because I wanted Khav to have confidence, to know that she is capable and can do things if she only believes in herself,” Sovannry said.
The music was produced and arranged by Chhom Phanith, who at the time worked in the CCF leadership programme and now works as a songwriter and content creator. Sovannry provided the lyrics and originally performed the song herself.
Although the two friends grew up together through CCF’s programmes, their lives later took different paths as they entered adulthood.
Sovannry received a scholarship to study in Australia, while Khav continued her university studies in Cambodia.
Years later, the song and its message remained meaningful to both women.
In 2025, the track was re-recorded and mastered as a complete studio version, again with Phanith helping shape the new production.
During the process, the newly recorded song was played to Khav during an emotional reunion between the two friends, who had not seen each other since their teenage years.
“It was overwhelming to hear the song again,” Khav, now 25, said.
“It reminds me of the past, our friendship, the memories of encouragement and how it helped me believe in myself,” she added.
Khav, who grew up in a family of nine children, joined CCF as her parents struggled to support the large household.
She later graduated with a psychology degree from the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2022 and now works in senior sales support at an insurance company.
Sovannry also faced barriers to education during her childhood. Growing up in Kampong Cham, she did not start school until the age of seven because her family could only afford to send one child to school at a time.
Through support from CCF, she later pursued higher education abroad and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a double major bachelor’s degree in international studies and politics, and media and communications.
She returned to Cambodia in 2024 and currently works as a consultant in reporting and social service analysis while studying for a master’s degree in international law at the American University of Phnom Penh.
Sovannry said the song continued to inspire her as well, especially during challenging moments while studying overseas.
During her final year in Australia, she revisited the lyrics.
“When we met again, it was a long time since we had been in contact, but we felt connected, and the song still inspired us,” she said.
The music video accompanying the song was produced by the CCF media production team and highlights the reunion between the two women while sharing the broader message of self-belief.
Scott Neeson, founder and executive director of CCF, said the song reflects the organisation’s emphasis on leadership, empathy and peer support among its students.
“At CCF, we have a strong leadership programme, and the centre of this community support is supporting your peers and learning a sense of empathy,” he said.
“Sovannry’s song touches on all of those, and I was so moved that she had the compassion to reach out to a student she felt needed support.”
While the song was originally written for one friend, both women hope its message will reach a wider audience.
Khav said she hopes others who hear the song will find encouragement in its message.
“I hope people will listen to the song and it will motivate them to believe in themselves,” she said.
Sovannry echoed that hope, encouraging others facing uncertainty to keep faith in their abilities.
“As long as you believe in yourself, then you can do it,” she said. “Never lose focus and never give up. Take your opportunities and find a way. It can happen.” - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
