As the world marks World Youth Skills Day tomorrow, 15 July 2025, we turn our focus to the power of youth volunteering — as a tool for learning, growth, and leadership. In Cambodia and across the globe, young women are rising. Preap Keo and Sor Sokunthea are proving that when they are trusted, they rise — and bring their communities with them.
These young women are doing more than supporting Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes. In a world that tells girls to be soft and quiet, they are learning they deserve visibility, respect, and equity in spaces that too often overlook voices like theirs—and routinely underestimate their power.
At Action Education / Aide et Action, youth volunteering isn’t charity work—it’s an act of empowerment.
According to Ann Channy, Monitoring & Evaluation Field Officer, “youth engagement helps to normalize volunteerism and to build a culture of driving support to their community.” Through this work, young people begin to understand their capacity to lead change.
This Is Not Charity — It’s Power
Preap Keo and Sor Sokunthea are not just helping children; they are making a tangible impact. Their work includes data entry, coordination with schools, tracking beneficiaries, and verifying documents—essential, behind-the-scenes contributions that keep ECCE programming running smoothly.
“They support on the project activity implementation,” explains Ann Channy, “from communicating with school directors and teachers, to recording data in systems, checking supporting documents, and coordinating activities on the ground.”
And while they serve their communities, these young women are building crucial skills that will serve them for life. “It helps to strengthen communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills,” says Channy.
Importantly, it also builds confidence and self-esteem. “And when youth feel more connected to the community, it contributes significantly to their mental and emotional well-being,” she added.
Investing in Young Women Matters
Preap Keo, M&E volunteer, says: “I have learnt about problem-solving, communication, work management, and using tools like Google Drive and Excel. I’m more confident now.”
For young women like Keo, volunteering becomes a way to break barriers. Confidence doesn’t always come easily—especially for those with limited experience—but the work itself builds belief.
“Try to learn new things. Believe in yourself,” she says with quiet certainty.
Sokunthea, an 19-year-old law student and community volunteer, adds: “Sometimes I feel I have no courage. But I believe women can overcome anything.”
These are not just motivational words. These are hard-earned truths forged in the everyday struggles of young women navigating public speaking anxiety, limited opportunity, and deep-rooted social expectations.
Youth Volunteering Is Leadership
Importantly, youth volunteers like Keo and Sokunthea are not just preparing to lead in the future—they are already leading. They are shaping community-based education systems, ensuring access for children, and influencing how development projects are delivered at the grassroots.
But not just anyone becomes a volunteer. “We look for availability, commitment, relevant experience, good behavior, and a genuine interest in learning,” says Channy. “Volunteers must be highly committed—this work requires field visits and collaboration with many stakeholders.”
This World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate our youth volunteers not just as future leaders, but as present-day changemakers. They are already making a difference—today.
Confidence. Skills. Impact.
That’s what youth volunteering looks like. And that’s what Preap and Sokunthea—guided and supported by mentors like Channy—are bringing to the world.
