The Hin & Sok Family
Noeun Hin and Sothearak Sok met in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1980's where they had immigrated, as refugees, after leaving their war-torn country of Cambodia. The two were young children when Pol Pot, the dreaded leader of the Khmer Rouge (Communist) regime, turned Cambodia into a huge forced labor camp. During the 1970's "reign of terror," somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million people died from malnutrition, murder, or overwork. Among them were nine of Sothearak's eleven siblings. Her father, a soldier, was killed during the war; her mother died of starvation.
Noeun and Sothearak married and after moving multiple times, they settled down with their six children in Providence, Rhode Island. Noeun secured full-time employment at DST Output in Rhode Island, but the company soon moved to South Windsor, Connecticut, and Neoun was forced to make the daily commute. A co-worker of Noeun's suggested to the family the possibility of a purchasing a Habitat home. After completing the necessary steps and being approved, Noeun was certain he would somehow manage. Not only did he have to complete the daily travel between Providence and South Windsor, but there would be additional travel, time, and energy needed to complete sweat equity hours as well as the workshops required of a prospective homebuyer.
The family moved into their Habitat house in Hartford during the summer of 2005. At that time, Christina and Christine were in 8th grade, Angelina was in 6th grade, Andy was in 4th grade, Danny was in 2nd grade and Henry was just four years old and eager to be enrolled in the Head Start program. Christina and Christine, the eldest children, not only helped their parents at home with their siblings, but also served as translators for their parents so they could attend school events and help out in the community. A recent visit with Sothearak and oldest daughter Christina served as the inspiration for me to tell you their story and how you have impacted their lives through your involvement with Hartford Habitat.
Below is an excerpt from Christina's email giving us an update on where they are:
"I'm the oldest, (19), and I'm currently attending the University of Connecticut, School of Nursing as a Sophomore (well nearly a junior because of my high school credits!); my sister Christine Sok, (18), will be transferring to Johnson and Wales University in RI, where she'll be working on a double-major in business and culinary arts starting in January; my younger sister Angelina (17), is a senior at Weaver High, she's been looking into many colleges but UConn is at the top of the list (for now!), she's interested in working with children and is exploring the idea of becoming a social worker.
The oldest boy, Andy(16), is currently enrolled at A. I. Prince Tech, he's a sophomore currently focusing his studies on mechanics (of the automotive type!); Danny and Henry are currently enrolled at Fred D. Wish school, Danny is (14) and in 8th grade and Henry is (10) and currently in 4th grade."
In This Section
Meet Some of Our Families
Get Involved
How To Apply
Interested in being a
homeowner?
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, plan to join us at our next Applicant Information Meeting!
Date: Saturday,
September 17, 2011
at 8:45 a.m.
Place: The Village for Families and Children, 331 Wethersfield Ave
Hartford, CT 06114
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity - a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.