PHNOM PENH – Children in remote areas often face family challenges and lack of support, leading to early school dropouts or migration for financial reasons. For girls, in addition to poverty, assigned gender roles, traditions, early marriage and hygiene remain the challenges.
Yeun Reaksmey, 23, is helping marginalized children and empowering girls to get an education after leaving her hometown in Banteay Meanchey to work in a community in Kampong Thom province as a volunteer.
Reaksmey decided to use her degree in community development to help girls study for their future under the volunteer program of Youth Star Cambodia – an organization empowering youths to volunteer for vulnerable communities through education and civic participation.
“I love volunteering,” she said. “I don’t have anything much to help underprivileged children.
“I can only share what I know and help encourage them to study. That was why I applied for this volunteer program when I was introduced to it.”
As part of the program, Reaksmey needs to spend a year in the community, immersing herself with the locals and working closely with schools and parents to get the children involved with the assistance that Youth Star and its partners – Aide et Action which has helped the organization since 2011 – provide.
Having lived in the Baray district in Kampong Thom for ten months, she’s already become a part of the community and is loved by many families and children.
Her work involves collecting data to identify deprived children, especially girls, who have dropped out of school, lacked financial support for education or delayed school enrolment.
“It was hard work at the first two or three months,” said Reaksmey. “I needed to find ways to gain the trust of the parents to let their children join our club for touring, reading and any other activities.”
Over time, everyone has come to know her, easing her sadness at being away from her family.
To celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11, Vorn Samphors, country director of Aide et Action, called for more support for girl and women empowerment, especially those from vulnerable communities.
Samphors said Aide et Action has been supporting children and education in 23 cities and provinces, with 800 schools. The organization supported school supplies, tutoring assistance, hygiene and clean water, reading supplies and livelihood.
“So many girls around the world are still facing challenges, with their right to education not being prioritized, which often results in dropping out of school,” he said.
“This Oct. 11, on International Girl’s Rights Day and beyond, let’s raise awareness of the unique challenges that girls face, advocate for policies and promote actions that empower girls to overcome these challenges.”
Samphors said the organization will continue its work to help Cambodian children get enough education for their future.
Hon Peysien, 12, a sixth-grade student at Chhouk Khsach Primary School, is one of the students in Reakmsey’s club.
Peysien’s academic performance was suffered due to a lack of support, resulting in issues with focus, low self-esteem and minimal class participation.
She has an older sister. Her father is a construction worker, providing for the family, while her mother manages the household and works as a seasonal rice farmer.
“I read a lot when I’m with teacher Reaksmey, which improves my skill in the Khmer language,” she said. “I also learn dancing and make a lot of friends. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”
Action Education’s Consortium for Out of School Children project, Education Above All’s Educate A Child program, and Youth Star Cambodia help unlock the potential of girls.
Peysien, after a month of intervention, regained confidence and joined a Khmer traditional dancing group at Youth Star Cambodia, demonstrating a positive change in her life.
“At Youth Star Cambodia, we are convinced that giving girls in remote areas like Peysien access to education is essential to transforming their future, which allows them to know their rights and make better decisions,” Chip Saroeut, communications manager of Youth Star Cambodia Organization, said.
Reaksmey intends also to establish a club headquarters for the next cohort of volunteers to help them do their job more easily to help the children.
“I want to see this community full of opportunity for children and young girls,” she said. “I love the young kids so much that when I finish volunteering, I will continue to work on community improvement.”
(Article was published on Cambodianess / Publication date 11 October 2024)
