University Education for Young Women in Cambodia

CATLALYST program is designed to provide extracurricular activities that will build confidence and bridge gaps in experience and knowledge. With this goal in mind, every year CATALYST Project takes its scholars on a study visit. This is the second year of a CATALYST study visit. This year, 33 CATALYST scholars from Phnom Penh Capital City, Battambang Province, Banteay Meanchey Province and Siem Reap Province all traveled to Siem Reap Province on September 1-3, 2018.

The group visited Khmer Cultural Village, Angkor Wat Temple, Bayon Temple, Taprom Temple, and a sacred place called Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm. They also went to see the sun rise at Angkor Wat and the sun set at Preh Roub Temple. 

The main objective of this study visit is to help build confidence, team work, and improve networking and leadership skills among all of the scholars. In addition, the teachers work to broaden their student's knowledge of the rich history of Angkor Era and the Khmer culture. For example, the students achieved these objectives by attending a half day workshop on Communication & Self-Confidence. The Program invited its very own Social Affair & English Literature graduate Ms. Noryrath who is now working at Friend Organization in Siem Reap Province. She was very happy and excited to share knowledge with the younger generation. She was a good mentor and had impressive techniques to train CATALYST scholars.

The program compensated the trainer for her time, but she contributed the amount back to CATALYST program saying that it was her great honor having been invited to deliver this training and that what she just did could not be compared with what she has received from Lotus Outreach. Ms. Noryath stated, “I would not have today without the support from Lotus Outreach."

Scholars’ Reflections:

Samnang: One thing that I will never forget about the study visit is the friendship with other students. They gave me warmth and we got closer with each other even though we are from different places such as Phnom Penh City, Siem Reap Province, Banteay Meanchey Province and Battambang Province. Also, we learned a lot how to work as a team. We studied about history of Angkor Wat and many other temples. More importantly, on the third day, we had a training on Communication & Self-Confidence. This course enabled us to open up and dare to share about ‘what fears make us feel not confident and cannot do it’. At this point, some of us became emotional and some even cried. I couldn't forget that moment. I am really thankful to Lotus Outreach, donors, staff, and senior for working hard with this study visit.

Sophin: Usually I work from Monday to Friday and study at the weekends. Going on this study visit made me feel refresh and reduced 80% of my stress. This was the first time for me to visit Khmer Cultural Village although I am from Siem Reap Province. Another thing that I cannot forget was the explanation by tour guide about history of Angkor Wat Temple, statues and other temples. I think I am a lucky woman being part of CATALYST Program. For third day, there was a Communication & Self-Confidence training. It made me brave to share what I had hidden since 2016. This is a good chance for me and everyone to open our mind to share personal story in the training and a good time that everyone had given me good advices how I might get over these feelings. I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the donors for supporting this trip.

Kimheng: It was 2 nights and 3 days of study visit in Siem Reap Province and it was a good memory that I will never forget. I have a lot of memories in my mind. I went to places that I have never been to and met people I have never met. It made me feel both strange and very fresh. When I arrived at Angkor Wat Temple, I was very excited and very happy, especially because there was a tour guide with us who explained about Khmer history since Angkor Wat was constructed. During that time, I felt like I was in that situation. It was an amazing experience for me because I like reading history books. One more thing that I cannot forget is meeting new friends. They were very friendly and we cared for each other like blood sisters. I was very happy to meet all of them. Not only study visit, there was a Communication & Self-Confidence Training too. It was so great because the speaker is our senior and she spent her valuable time to come to train us. Her presentation was very clear and interesting. Even though some students were a bit tired or sleepy, her presentation woke everyone up. I would like to pay my gratitude to Lotus Outreach and the donors for supporting this trip for us to learn new things.