Provide women and girls education in Cambodia

Thank YOU for supporting Women’s Resource Center. It is so important for us to be able to continue our vital services in Siem Reap and here is why….

When we met Sophea* her work life had not been so stable and she had had many jobs, from cleaning to construction work, service work to airport security and even some time in a factory in Thailand. She had done some work as a chef and realised that she really enjoyed this and wanted to pursue it as a career, but was not sure how. In addition, she had had some health concerns that had contributed to her leaving some of her previous roles. One day she met one of WRC’s Community Ambassadors – a lady in her community who had attended many workshops and could speak with other women about the work of WRC in order to encourage them to attend workshops and empower themselves. Sophea was invited to attend a couple of WRC’s workshops on Women’s Health and Women’s Rights and Gender. Having attended a couple of workshops this gave Sophea the confidence to talk more deeply to the WRC team and get some advice as at the time she was unemployed. Sophea wanted to follow her passion to become a chef and we managed to connect her to the Friends International training restaurant, Marum, where she undertook around a year of chef and hospitality training. After graduating she got a job as a chef at a local restaurant, but after some health problems had to leave. She returned to WRC for advice and we were able to help her secure a new role in a local hostel. She loves her new job as chef here very much and feels the management invest in her development and give her great working conditions with 3 meals a day and some where to stay.

She says “Since I had been working in many places, I never felt good like here, the SLEEP PORT Hostel shows me by giving me an opportunity, love, encourage, warm welcome, I like to work here so much and never want to leave from this place. I would love to thank you so much to Woman Recourse Center Team for giving the information and give me up. Because when I have a problem I had no anyone and anywhere to discuss with, but WRC is the place that I believe that is s place that I can discuss and sharing my story and problem and I trust people in the organization because they hide my Secret in deeply.”

*name changed to protect identity

Thank you for supporting Sophea and the women of Siem Reap – your donations help to change lives!

With warm wishes and deep thanks!

Team WRC!

Meet Bopha*, a 25-year-old woman who lives in Slorkram Commune, Siem Reap. Bopha lives with her mother who is a widow and her younger sister, who is currently in Grade 12. Bopha is largely blind, which can be very challenging here in Cambodia in terms of the support available and, sadly, the stigma that disabled people may face. She works as a basket weaver to support her family and her sisters education. Bopha recently took part in one of our Financial Literacy courses and has learned ways to track her money through drawing pictures (as she cannot read and write) and has also learned about how to save for the future. She says…

“My job is making basket for sell to support financially to my family and sister education. I am illiterate and blind, but I can see things blurry. It was great to meet Women’s Resource Center, They give me an opportunity to learn to manage how to manage money. I feel very grateful that WRC include me to the group however I am a disable person.

Since then, I am able to write a little bit, tracking income and expenses by drawing pictures instead of writing, make budget and saving. The big success is I am able to manage my money, income growth and I am able to support my sister to complete her high school.

Conclusion, my life is getting brighter and I can see a bigger advantages and opportunity to participate the future session. I am happy that they include me with other people groups in the community and society.”

It is wonderful to see Bopha, her family, and many others thriving.

Thank you for supporting WRC in supporting Cambodian women.

*name changed for confidentiality