Girl is Powerful Weapon to Make Changes
Ouk Sovandane, 19, is a sophomore majoring in Banking at the Regional Polytechnic Techo Sen Institute in Kampot.
Sovandane was introduced to this project by her senior. She decided to participate as she was keen to develop herself and wanted to solve problems in her community. She wants to see her Sangkat developed, and she works actively work with the Sangkat council. She also wants the Sangkat council to use social media to spread information to her community through the Sangkat Facebook page.
Sovandane received training on public speaking, debating, leadership, and networking which enhanced her knowledge and gave her opportunities to contribute her knowledge to help her community and to be a role model for other youth, especially young women. After the training, she decided to volunteer in the youth network to support her community.
She said that “It is my pleasure to know PDP-Center and YCUD and I am so proud of my achievement through attending 5 courses with PDP-Center and YCUD’s project can change my life. I am a new generation I hope I can pay something back to my society by my education as life need to be balance between take and give.”
Ouk Sovandane, 19, is a sophomore majoring in Banking at the Regional Polytechnic Techo Sen Institute in Kampot.
As a young girl in the province, Sovandane did not have the confidence, nor did she think about community volunteering or civic engagement. She planned to study and find a job, and she thought community work is not youth’s responsibility, it is for the government. PDP and YCUD identified her and, her active participation in the network benefited her and encouraged her to become a network leader. Later, Sovandane was elected as a youth leader in Sangkat Krang Amphil.
She said “I was lacking confidence in public speaking. When delivering my idea to an unfamiliar group of people, I found it hard to express my thoughts. Joining the program with PDP and YCUD, I had the opportunity to attend the Sangkat Meeting which was a good opportunity to listen to other senior youth’s ideas and raise my thoughts. I know that to be a leader is not easy, but it is a golden opportunity for me to improve myself now.”
Sovandane and youths from PDP and YCUD
