Seng Sokhim, who we recently visited in Cambodia, says that you have had a big impact on her life.

Born in a small village in northern Cambodia, Seng Sokhim is a champion of human rights in her community. Though primarily making her living as a farmer, she also is a volunteer service worker with the government of Cambodia, and serves as a Commune Council Member for Women and Children in her country’s Dovieng District.

Though she never attended university to study for her role, the government of Cambodia sponsored some classes for her. Still, she says that most of her training over the years has come from organizations like ADRA. After a 20-year-long relationship, she is very open about her gratitude for the work that ADRA donors like you make possible.

Her work involves protecting women and children in her commune. Cambodia is a nation that has faced many dire challenges over the years. Seng’s husband is a de-miner, working to remove landmines and other unexploded cluster munitions leftover from the Cambodian civil war. With post-war effects still being acutely felt, some social dynamics can be dangerous. Women and children are especially at risk of abuse and neglect.

Over the decades, ADRA has helped to supply rain wells, latrines, water filters, and health education to communities in Cambodia. Seng has attended ADRA’s training sessions in eager hopes of facilitating these trainings herself for her own community.

“The [current, ongoing] TOGETHER project has taught me many things that are helping me in the work that I do for the government. Many of the messages from TOGETHER deal directly with the issues of adolescent health, early teenage pregnancy, early marriage, discrimination, human rights, and gender-based violence. We teach these principles using small-group education.”

She has noted a significant decrease in gender-based violence in her community, as well as an increase in men helping their wives at home with domestic tasks.

“I am very thankful to the people of Canada,” she says, “for supporting us here in Cambodia. With your help, we have made a lot of progress over the years. Thank you!”