This article was written while I was working for World Vision Cambodia.
Title: Youth Club Changed Me
Chheng Ouk is a boy who didn’t care to
help his parents with the housework because he thought it’s
girls work. He grew up seeing his mother and father quarreled daily. Chheng’s
father would become violent whenever he was drunk. This made Chheng really
embarrassed and wanted to run a way from home sometimes. Chheng easily got
angry for no reason and he was not conscious of his mistakes. All that’s changed
when Chheng became part of the Youth Peace Road Club of Prasat Sambo District.
Things have changed for Chheng’s family too.
“I was really bored and pity my mother who suffered violence when my father drunk; I remembered once while my mother was cooking, my father was drunk and came in, then shouted insulting words to my mother and threw food away for no reason. Domestic violence happened very often, and it made me wanted to run away from home. I couldn’t focus much on studying,” Chheng shared with an unhappy face. Chheng is now eighteen years old and is the third son in the family of six children.
“I did not listen to any advice from anyone, not even my parents; I also got angry easily without reason sometimes. I did not help with domestic work such sweeping house, and cooking because I thought it’s for girls, and I am a guy I should not do these stuffs. When my mother asked me to go to the market and buy some food, I rejected because I was afraid that the others would call me gay. My time was for going out with friends to play football. I like to play football so much,” recounted Chheng while many friends were sitting on the mat and listened to him.
With slightly curly short hair and tan skin color Chheng looks like many young Cambodians. He added, “I was not friendly to anyone, and didn’t like to help anyone too. I didn’t use good words to all my younger siblings; I used strong and angry words, so they would do what I say because I wanted them to respect me, my authority as the older boy in the family.”
In the beginning of 2009, Chheng participated in the Peace Road Club of World Vision because he thought he would learn new things as he is a guy who is really keen on learning. He meets many friends at the youth club; this led to his gradual change as he gets to know more about communications with others and exchange ideas. Chheng said, “I was a quiet one for the first day with the Peace Road Club, but afterward I really enjoyed it and became active. I have learned a lot about domestic violence, disadvantages of using drugs, making a peace tree, HIV and AIDS, hygiene, and joining a campaign with youth club members in order to fight against domestic violence and raising fund for Peace Road Club’s campaign. I really enjoyed the club and I sometimes facilitate other club members for some sessions.”
“I have gained knowledge from many friends and by participating in many trainings of World Vision. World Vision staffs are friendly and advised me and other club members to learn more and to be the one to bring changes to our community. I am now happy to help my parents do housework, and I think clearly first before doing something. Whenever I am bored or upset, I just listen to music and go fishing to release my anger. I also shared with my parents and siblings all what I have learned from this youth club. I tell them the disadvantages and problems of Domestic violence; my parents participated in training on domestic violence, and other trainings, which World Vision conducted. There is no more violence in my family and we use only polite and good words to each other. I am happy with these changes,” said Chheng with a smile.
“My friends, family members, and World Vision staffs encouraged me to learn more and to be a good guy and to contribute to society. I am so proud of myself that I am useful in helping others to change. I advised my friends and neighbors about domestic violence, and respect older people through my good acts and kind words,” smiled Chheng.
All Peace Road Club members shared the same words about Chheng; they all really like what has changed for Chheng. They all are keen to see others in the community become a positive change such as Chheng. Chheng has worked hard to improve himself by exchanging experiences and ideas with friends, and neighbors. Chheng’s friends are proud of Chheng that he has set a good example for others in the community.
“I did not really like Chheng when I first met him because he acted like such a snob. He did not share any ideas, he was not brave to talk and he did not get along with club members. I see how he’s changed; he is an active one, and is really helpful. He does not shy away from helping to sweep the club and cleaning up after club members leave the meetings. He respects others opinions and he was never absent for any meeting,” said So Vaet Von, 17, a Peace Road Club Leader.
“I was really bored and pity my mother who suffered violence when my father drunk; I remembered once while my mother was cooking, my father was drunk and came in, then shouted insulting words to my mother and threw food away for no reason. Domestic violence happened very often, and it made me wanted to run away from home. I couldn’t focus much on studying,” Chheng shared with an unhappy face. Chheng is now eighteen years old and is the third son in the family of six children.
“I did not listen to any advice from anyone, not even my parents; I also got angry easily without reason sometimes. I did not help with domestic work such sweeping house, and cooking because I thought it’s for girls, and I am a guy I should not do these stuffs. When my mother asked me to go to the market and buy some food, I rejected because I was afraid that the others would call me gay. My time was for going out with friends to play football. I like to play football so much,” recounted Chheng while many friends were sitting on the mat and listened to him.
With slightly curly short hair and tan skin color Chheng looks like many young Cambodians. He added, “I was not friendly to anyone, and didn’t like to help anyone too. I didn’t use good words to all my younger siblings; I used strong and angry words, so they would do what I say because I wanted them to respect me, my authority as the older boy in the family.”
In the beginning of 2009, Chheng participated in the Peace Road Club of World Vision because he thought he would learn new things as he is a guy who is really keen on learning. He meets many friends at the youth club; this led to his gradual change as he gets to know more about communications with others and exchange ideas. Chheng said, “I was a quiet one for the first day with the Peace Road Club, but afterward I really enjoyed it and became active. I have learned a lot about domestic violence, disadvantages of using drugs, making a peace tree, HIV and AIDS, hygiene, and joining a campaign with youth club members in order to fight against domestic violence and raising fund for Peace Road Club’s campaign. I really enjoyed the club and I sometimes facilitate other club members for some sessions.”
“I have gained knowledge from many friends and by participating in many trainings of World Vision. World Vision staffs are friendly and advised me and other club members to learn more and to be the one to bring changes to our community. I am now happy to help my parents do housework, and I think clearly first before doing something. Whenever I am bored or upset, I just listen to music and go fishing to release my anger. I also shared with my parents and siblings all what I have learned from this youth club. I tell them the disadvantages and problems of Domestic violence; my parents participated in training on domestic violence, and other trainings, which World Vision conducted. There is no more violence in my family and we use only polite and good words to each other. I am happy with these changes,” said Chheng with a smile.
“My friends, family members, and World Vision staffs encouraged me to learn more and to be a good guy and to contribute to society. I am so proud of myself that I am useful in helping others to change. I advised my friends and neighbors about domestic violence, and respect older people through my good acts and kind words,” smiled Chheng.
All Peace Road Club members shared the same words about Chheng; they all really like what has changed for Chheng. They all are keen to see others in the community become a positive change such as Chheng. Chheng has worked hard to improve himself by exchanging experiences and ideas with friends, and neighbors. Chheng’s friends are proud of Chheng that he has set a good example for others in the community.
“I did not really like Chheng when I first met him because he acted like such a snob. He did not share any ideas, he was not brave to talk and he did not get along with club members. I see how he’s changed; he is an active one, and is really helpful. He does not shy away from helping to sweep the club and cleaning up after club members leave the meetings. He respects others opinions and he was never absent for any meeting,” said So Vaet Von, 17, a Peace Road Club Leader.
-Ends-
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