KOH KONG, Cambodia — After more than 10 years at the China Huadian Lower Stung Russei Chrum Hydro-Electric Station in southwestern Cambodia, Keat Makara, 35, has become a highly skilled hydropower technician.
Makara joined the 338-megawatt plant in 2013 and received training from Chinese experts, a journey that transformed him from an electrician's helper into a specialist in hydropower operations. He now serves as assistant director of the plant's power generation operation department.
"The job has changed my life and greatly improved my family's livelihood," he told Xinhua News Agency on Monday.
Before joining the project, Makara worked as a construction electrician's assistant and as a dockworker at a dry port, struggling to make ends meet.
"Making a livelihood at that time was very difficult," he said.
