From Migration to Innovation: A Returning Cambodian Female Migrant’s IT Journey

In search of a better life, Orb Peuy migrated to Thailand in 2015. Along with her grandfather, she travelled to Thailand without proper documentation. As irregular migrants, they faced heightened vulnerabilities because of their irregular status. She lived in fear, but also unwavering determination. Orb sold fruits in Thailand to send hard-earned money to her family in Cambodia while also saving a portion for continuing her education.  

Migrant workers like Orb are three times more likely to experience forced labour than local workers. Being young and female further compounded the challenges she faced. “As a female migrant travelling irregularly, I faced many challenges, such as unsafe road conditions. I had to run and sometimes even crawl to escape from the Thai police,” Orb explained. “I carried heavy loads of fruit, sometimes weighing more than 20 kilograms each. I would occasionally ask for help from others, but most times, I had to carry everything myself.” 

Despite all these hardships, Orb persevered, driven by her hopes and dreams to support herself and her family and pursue her studies.  

With the support from the programme for the Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skill Development and Enhanced Job Placement (PROMISE), Orb enrolled in technical vocational education and training (TVET) in Information Technology (IT) upon return to Cambodia in 2023. She came across a Facebook post by the Polytechnic Institute of Banteay Meanchey (PIBMC) about the TVET course for returning migrant workers, supported by International Organization for Migration (IOM). Prior to participating in the TVET programme in late 2023, Orb helped her family by working on their farm and doing household chores. 

“I want to have skills which enable me to earn a living, Orb explained. “At first, I did not know anything about computers and computer programmes, but I was determined and studied hard.”  

Through the training, Orb not only gained IT skills, but also discovered a passion for teaching. She realised the benefits of digitalization, especially for returning female migrant, in improving employabilityand economic opportunities. “I think the digital system offersmany benefits for women and returning female migrant workers. With the high demand for skilled labour in this field, we can earn better income.”, she shared. 

After completing her four-month IT training at PIBMC, Orb became a volunteer at the institute. This experience has allowed her to strengthen her teaching skills, bringing her closer to her goal of becoming a public-school teacher and passing on her knowledge to the next generation.

She values her vocational training as a stepping stone to a brighter future. “Even without a high level of education, we can acquire specific skills. Not just IT skills — any skill can help increase our income.” 

For Orb, migration was a key turning point. “Migration is one of factors that inspires me to study IT as I want to have certified skills which I can use for work to support myself and my family.”  

Orb's story is one of many in Cambodia, where returning female migrant workers have enhanced their employability—both abroad and at home — through skills development in key sectors. 

Written by Julia Albano Placides, Communications and Gender Associate, IOM Cambodia.