Goodbye Violence, Welcome Loves!

Seven-year old Chenda is an only child and she once lived in a very troubled family. Chenda’s father used to beat her mother and their home environment was dirty and unsanitary.

"My father hit my mother whenever he was drunk. He shouted to my mother for no reason. He used to scold me with insulting words,” says Chenda, adding that the father never helped her mother make Cambodian noodles to sell at the market for family income. 

“My father was drunk every day. I’d run to call my neighbour and my grandmother who live nearby to help whenever my father uses violence on my mother.”

Due to violence, Chenda received no care from her parents, which is why she did not perform well at school and always got sick.  

At that time, Chenda said she got diarrhea and vomited so often. There is no toilet in her home or other villagers' home; therefore, Chenda had to go to the bush or rice field like other villagers do.

"Especially when I wanted to defecate at night, I was so scared of snakes and other insects.”

Chenda's father used to scold World Vision staff who invited him to attend different trainings. Nevertheless, Chenda's mother respected World Vision staff and listened to their advice related to hygiene, cleaning hands, building toilets and sweeping around the home.

“My mother and I encouraged my father to stop drinking alcohol because it was not beneficial for us and it brought shame on our family. Others would look down on the family if he still enjoyed alcohol and did nothing to help the family.”

“I love my family so much. My father gradually changed his attitude. I kept telling my father to stop drinking because I feel shame and I want him to be healthy.” 

“My father now has given up alcohol and he loves my mother and me dearly. A new toilet is built at our house and there is a toilet at each villager’s house. Everywhere is clean. I like seeing my house clean and now there is no bad odour.”

Chenda seems shy when asked about her future but says, “I want to be a good doctor in the future so I can earn lots of money and look after my parents and my grandmother.”

“Word Vision staff are so kind and teach me many things about sanitation, living in good health, and being a good daughter. I drink boiled water and also bring it to school.”

Looking at her daughter with a beaming smile, Chenda’s mother says her family got to know World Vision around 2010. Her husband at first didn’t like World Vision staff because he thought his life was his business. 

“Now my husband understands how important living in a good environment benefits the children. I was shocked when my husband gave up drinking alcohol and began thinking about my daughter’s future. I am happy because my family now lives in good situation.”

“My daughter studies so hard now and my husband raises many chicken and cows along with farming. He cares about Chenda so much.

“I am thankful for World Vision’s presence in this village. Everything has changed for the better.”