Vichheka Sok

This article was written in 2010 while I was working for World Vision Cambodia.

Title: Children’s Club Brings Changes

At seventeen-year-old, Thida Kong is the eldest daughter of four siblings; she’s expected to be good and gentle in order to show a good example for her younger siblings. But Thida was a girl who really enjoyed hanging out with friends and was always absent from school. She had lied to her parents. Her father, Setha Sou is a forty-six year-old primary school teacher who really encourages his children to study hard, and he was really mad at his daughter when he realized she didn’t go to school regularly. Thida’s mother is forty years old, Sopheark Heap, is a farmer. She always teaches her daughter to do house work, but Thida never cared to help. 

Thida shared with a sad face, “I was a stubborn daughter, and never cared about helping my mother to do house chores. I used to lie to my parents that I go to school, yet I enjoyed hang out with friends and all the money given by my parents, I spent to pay for my friends to eat out, and buy new dress.”

She added, “I would like to say sorry to my parents and I know that I was not a good daughter, a good oldest sister. I really feel ashamed to think about my recent past. I liked dancing so much, so everywhere which there was a party or any ceremonies in the village, I was there and danced with many friends.” 

In Cambodian culture, a girl is expected to obey her parents and elders, to be gentle and softly spoken. Traditional Cambodian culture expects a girl to behave according to social norms and to avoid any transgression that could be branded as ‘dirty’. She is expected not to date, hang out or mingle freely with men. Thida shared, “I was considered as a rude daughter because of my attitude. I didn’t pay attention to my studies; I thought hanging out and dancing were more enjoyable.” 

In 2008, Thida became a club member of Chorm Phal Club of Sandan district, which was established by World Vision. She got to know World Vision’s staff Mr. Daro Tay, Project Coordinator of Education. She always gets good advise from him, and Mr. Daro never ignored any concern of club members. He has been working for years with the community people, particularly the youth in the village. Thida said, “Lork Kru (teacher) Daro always teaches all club members to love each other and try to study hard to have a brighter future. He always considers all youth/children as his own children.” She continued, “I was really happy when I was selected as a sub-club leader, and I have a responsibility to teach other children in the village. Teacher Daro is always with me and guide me with gentle and good words.” 

The Education project staff cooperated with the district’s education, youth and sports department to conduct many trainings for the community people. They understand and encourage children to go to school. Parents and children/youth recognize the value of education.  The education project has constructed a primary school building and started a children’s club in the community in order to teach them about child rights, domestic violence, and youth/children would promote all sessions that they have learned from the project to the entire community. Thida smiled, “I am so happy to be a key person in the child club, and I have learned many things to improve myself and help other children in the community.” 

“I am now not a bad daughter anymore. I have changed; I would be ashamed to act like before. Teacher Daro is a good person who makes a big change in my life; he taught me to be a good daughter, a good student, a good friend, and a good leader of the child club.” 

Thida is a very active child club leader; she always teaches other club members on child rights, advantages and disadvantages of domestic violence, Using drug, HIV and AIDS and the bad affect of smoking cigarettes. She smiled, “Teacher Daro always teaches and guides me how to teach other club members. Every good word and encouragement of him really push me to study hard and behave as good as a club leader who every child in the community would respect and learn from.”

With a sad face, Thida said, “My dad used to hit me because I lied to my parents and didn’t go to school. Now he loves me and only uses good and encouraging words. He sometimes admires me for getting good grades in school.  I am happy now and I have World Vision’s staff to thank, especially teacher Daro who keeps encouraging and giving good advice.”

Sitting close to her mother on the chairs under the house, she shared, “I want to be a good dress designer in the future, so I must study hard, and help to earn income for the family.” 

Thida’s mother looks at her daughter’s face, and grinned, “Thida has changed, she is a good daughter and a good student too. She sets a good example for her siblings and other children in the community. I thank World Vision for helping my family.  World Vision bring changes not only for Thida, but for all of us, especially in terms of hygiene and teaching us about the value of education.”

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