This Valentine’s Day, meet Ket Sour and Ri Yen, a resilient couple whose love has weathered life’s toughest challenges. After losing their fragile home, they dreamed of a better place for their family. Thanks to Habitat Cambodia, that dream came true.

Now, with a sturdy home, their children have room to thrive, and their love shines brighter than ever—proof that love is about resilience, partnership, and building a brighter future.

Story: 

A Love That Grows Stronger with a New Home

Ket Sour and Ri Yin beautifully capture the true meaning of love—one that grows stronger through life’s challenges and thrives with newfound hope. Living in the countryside with their three children, Sour and Yin, both in their mid-30s, have always worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Ket Sour, a construction worker, travels an hour by motorbike to his job site every day, while Ri Yin worked as a farm laborer before the birth of their youngest child. Together, they earn around $150 a month, a sum that often falls short of meeting their family’s needs.

Their struggles deepened when their small, fragile house collapsed last year, leaving them homeless and forcing them to seek temporary shelter with relatives. “I was in the hut when it collapsed with my little baby girl. Luckily, the house was small and short, so no one was hurt,” Ri Yin recalls.

They lived under their relative’s roof for years until they received a new, sturdy home built by Habitat Cambodia and a team of global volunteers. Today, their story is one of hope and happiness. Ket Sour and Ri Yin now have a new, secure home—a place they could only dream of before. “We no longer worry about the roof collapsing or the rain soaking us,” says Ri Yin. “Our children have more space to play and grow, and we feel safe and secure.”

Their love for each other and their family shines brighter than ever. Committed to providing their children with a better future, including a full education, they have also promised to care for their new home, keeping it clean and strong for years to come.

Their journey reminds us that love isn’t just about romance—it’s about resilience, partnership, and building a brighter future together. Their new home has become the foundation for their dreams and a lasting symbol of their enduring love. This Valentine’s Day, their story reminds us that love flourishes in a safe and stable home. Their journey is a testament to resilience, partnership, and the importance of working together for a brighter future.