Provide women and girls education in Cambodia

WRC is proud to report that our schedule of Center activities over the past few months has been full and fruitful—something not possible without the generosity of our GlobalGiving supporters.

Recently WRC welcomed the newest addition to our team, Sophal, our Legal Aid Workshop Facilitator.  Sophal recently graduated from the Royal University of Law and Economy in Phnom Penh and has moved to Siem Reap to join the WRC team and follow her passion of contributing to women’s empowerment.  Sophal will soon recommence WRC’s Legal Aid Workshops to continue raising awareness about women’s rights during instances of domestic violence, family law, property settlements, child custody and reproductive rights.

Last week ten parents (8 women and 2 men) completed the final session of WRC’s eight week ‘Parent’s Talk’ workshop where the topics of: child development, the importance of play, positive parenting strategies, building a happy family, healthy body and healthy mind, child rights and child protection were discussed. Some feedback from the participants included: 

"I feel more confident as a parent and have more skills..." also "I now know my children's needs, and can help their development" and "...I understand how domestic violence can impact children." The next group of 8 mothers and fathers started last Friday 5/10/12, with the wonderful Pisey.

Ratana who WRC welcomed on board in July after she recently graduated from 4 years of nursing study and training, continues to facilitate WRC’s successful Health Workshops.  Last week 10 young women completed the final session of WRC’s eight week sessions covering the following topics: how the body works, feminine hygiene, contraception, birth spacing, family planning, pre and post-natal mental health, danger signs during pregnancy and labor and safe abortion.  Participants report feeling an increase in confidence with more knowledge about their bodies and how to stay healthy. 

The WRC team felt very proud that our Center Manager, Pisey, delivered a TedX type talk to a group of young women at the Bamboo Dorm in July about the importance of education in all its forms to achieve one’s life and career goals. Pisey was touched by the moving feedback she received from the girls after sharing her inspiring and powerful story about her life as a young Khmer girl and the hard work and persistence she took to become all that she stands for today.

Following up from our last report, Pisey held 3 workshop sessions at the Camp GLOW retreat (a camp/retreat for young women to learn about their bodies, health prevention and much more). Pisey shared inspiring sessions to a group of high-school aged girls about setting and striving towards one’s life goals, healthy versus unhealthy relationships and self-awareness.

WRC also continues to operate as a drop in center for women to come and share their problems and worries and we are excited to see almost all women returning to speak with us. They return to talk through their options and share their feeling of relief and increased confidence after talking through their issue with us. 

We thank you for your continued support as we proceed to impact the lives of women here in Cambodia.

Best wishes to you from the WRC Team.