Gender Equality Cambodia Project #6296

Empower At-Risk Girls in Cambodia

by Senhoa Foundation

Project Report | Jan 15, 2016
An Artisan's Story

By Sylvia Tran | Country Director

Our artisans at a self-improvement workshop.

Sovanna is 22 years old and one of our most skilled and committed artisans in our program. She came from a farming family with 6 other siblings in the household. Aside from economic struggles, Sovanna had to deal with domestic violence at home.

In grade 8, Sovanna quit school to find more income for her family. Her family wanted her to work in the capital at a sewing company. Although she missed school and wanted to continue her studies, her responsibility to care for her family had her planning to migrate to Thailand for a better opportunity.

In 2010, she was able to move to Siem Reap and found a job as a nanny for $0.50 USD a day. She became friends with one of our artisans who eventually introduced Sovanna to Senhoa and recruited her for jewelry training. She was able to get not only a better salary but also the opportunity to return to school. She began working part-time at Senhoa and continued her studies until she graduated Grade 12 in September 2015.

“I would like to say thank you to Senhoa Foundation and donors who have supported my education. If I didn’t meet Senhoa, I might be a migrant in Thailand” - Sovanna

She hopes to continue her studies at a university in 2016.

Our artisans at work. Photo by John D Russell.

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