My name is Phich Sokda, who also goes by the name Steven, is currently managing for Oasis Capsules Hostel’s operation and all the reservation, who like many Cambodians has a fascinating and inspiring story to tell.
I was born in 1986 in an ancient temple complex at Siem Reap, which is now an archeological park and the setting for the 2001 film Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. This was just after the civil war in Cambodia when many communities were traumatised and rural areas were gripped by famine.
In 1990, My father was forced by the government to become a soldier and was taken away from the family for four years. During this time my mother was left alone with five children, and it was five-year-old I work with the tourists in the temple complex that kept the family going. I would sometimes beg for food and money, I would sell post cards, musical instruments and guide books, and whenever I could I would act as a tourist guide.
Driven by a desire to forge a better life and a belief in the power of education, I studied English wherever and whenever I could – practicing on tourists, learning from anyone in the village who was able to teach me and also attending lessons in the city’s pagodas, which I paid for with whatever money I had left after buying food for my family. I focused on the future rather than the present, and each day I would walk the six-kilometre return trip to my primary school.
When I finished primary school I was determined to continue studying, even though all of my classmates had decided to drop out of school. Each day I walked the 24 kilometre return trip to the city, as there was no high school nearby.
Then, in 2001, I met an American lady who sponsored me to study English at the Australian Centre for Education, which I did until I completed my course in 2009. All the while I was attending high school and also working a low-paid job in a souvenir shop in the city.
After graduating from high school in 2007, I found a job in a local hotel as a receptionist, which was the stepping stone I needed to a job in the five-star Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, where I worked for four and a half years.

At the same time, the American lady also sponsor me through Build Bright University with tuition, books, room. I worked at hotel and used that to help my family situations which distributed in many ways such as foods, life conditions, school stationaries for my younger brother and sister and so on. Without her guidance and supported, I won't be able to come across a long bumpy roads till today.

After worked for four and a half years with Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, I received a special opportunity to join Song Saa Private Island in 2012, and I was a valued member of the Song Saa family, gaining world-class experience in one of the region’s leading luxury resorts. Song Saa Private Island has asked me to move from Siem Reap city to Phom Penh capital. After exploring the capital of Phnom Penh, I felt it is not my cup of tea of living in the crowded capital, so I have decided to leave from Song Saa Private Island than returned back to Siem Reap after 12 months.

In 2013 with a special opportunity to join Shinta Mani Club and Shinta Mani Resort with a stepping up in my career as overseeing all the sales and marketing, Reservation, E-commerce team. The Shinta Mani Foundation seeks to be a leader in responsible tourism. The goal of the Shinta Mani Foundation (SMF) is to enhance the lives of individuals in the local communities where we operate - by increasing their human capital and providing them the tools to overcome the constraints of poverty.
The philosophy of Open Doors, Open Hearts of Shinta Mani's foundation operates today in the three core areas of education, small business start-ups and healthcare and this matched in my goals that I want to help the local communities.

The end of 2014, I have decided to leave from Shinta Mani because of the new opportunity, managing a very small luxury property La Residence Blanc D'Angkor's General Manager. This charming little hotel has the concept of helping Cambodian people from un-employment to employment by giving the opportunity to all the University students to have full time jobs with a full benefits.

From here, I am presented in running my own business with a little hostel - Oasis Capsules, I like connecting with many people. That's why I decided to run this small hostel.

My story is one of perseverance and positivity, and shows the value of education in helping young people to rise above their circumstances to realise their dreams

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The only reasons - helping the travellers and also keep connected with people from difference countries.

Music, Movies, and Books

Club music, love music and it always difference according to mood.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Having the best family

Teach, Learn, Share

I am growing a lot of young generation and inspire them to be a better life and I also keep learning from everyone every days too. Sharing is a big part in my life which I always wanted to share whatever I can to people and society.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Well educated in the local cultures, history, society and the areas. Beside the areas, I am able to share even more about the business concept and the digital marketing to most of people too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia