“When children are active participants in the community, then we can move our country forward.” This is the clear message from 16 year-old Soy Socheat from Kandal province; one of 160 children attending World Vision’s Child Leadership Workshop in Kampong Som this week.

Over the past three days, child leaders from 51 Children’s Clubs have joined together to share their achievements and review the challenges they face in their communities. Representing over 5,300 children who participate in World Vision’s Children’s Clubs in Cambodia, the children made recommendations about the issues they face and the support they need to prevent domestic violence, trafficking, child abuse and child labour.

“World Vision is learning from children,” said Nhim Sambath, the manager of World Vision’s Children at High Risk Prevention Project. “Five years ago we initiated the Clubs so that children could influence their communities. Now we are delighted to see that children are driving important changes themselves.”

“World Vision’s Club has made me brave and confident,” said Socheat. “When I saw that children in the village could move their community forward, I became a leader so I could work on the issues facing children in Kandal.”

“My community is really benefiting because children are speaking to their parents about the things they learn in the Clubs. Now parents understand that education can reduce poverty, so more children are going to school. There is less abuse of children. We are also speaking to our parents about domestic violence, so the atmosphere in the village is really improving.”

Ngek Tola is fifteen years old. She lives in Battambang Province and became increasingly concerned about the risks of trafficking in her community, so she decided to do something about it.

“In the past, visitors would come and stay in our village and try to trick families saying that there were jobs for girls in the city. But the girls were sexually exploited instead. So I joined World Vision’s Children’s Club. Now I lead role-plays and teach children how to prevent abuse,” said Tola.

“Children are the pillars of our community,” said Nhim Sambath. “Fifty percent of Cambodia’s population is under 19 years old. This is significant because Cambodia’s children are passionate about improving the future of their country. Through the Clubs we’ve seen that children are prepared to act with maturity to address serious issues.”

In the words of Soy Socheat, “I want to see families, villages and the country’s leaders listen to children and involve us in their plans to make sure the future of Cambodia is positive.”

For more information, please contact:
Sok Naly, Communication Coordinator, HP: +855 12 727304