Active Citizens

Friday, November 4, 2016

Phnom Penh – 18 youth from 10 provinces and the city assembled for a capacity building workshop on “Social Media Engagement” on the 19th October 2016 The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of youth in the areas of social media and online marketing.

“We enabled the youth to make a plan of action on fundraising online and identifying promotions to go public through digital and social media,” says Makara Eam, World Vison’s Integrated Communications Coordinator.

The youth who participated have roles as communicators of their provincial youth groups, called, Youth Learning Clubs. The Youth Learning Clubs are a youth network from national to commune level contributing to social development.  

The 18 youth are trained to be communicators for their main clubs. Initially, they are starting to introduce their group identity to their local public and then conduct online activities and fundraising for various local causes, such as hospitals and community development projects. Recently, Youth Learning Club across 10 provinces and city raised over five thousand US dollars for Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital and community development.

“When I first started with World Vision, I was afraid of doing presentations. I always hid in the toilet to escape from doing presentations! Through this workshop, I practiced doing it in front of the mirror. Finally, I can confidently do it in front of others,” says Pisal, youth from Kampong Chnang province.

Under the project of Youth Leadership and Livelihood Development supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, World Vision is able to initiate the youth network across 10 provinces and city of Phnom Penh. In 2016, World Vision worked with over 14,000 youth across 747 Youth Learning Clubs.

“We empower the youth to be financially independent and active citizens, leading positive change in their communities,” says Chanvandy Phan, a Project Officer of World Vision.

Through the project, youth have been empowered and encouraged to bring about their positive vision for the development of their community, and trained on life skills and entrepreneurship.

Story and Photos by Loeurt Lun