By Melanie Houston, Child Sponsorship
Watching six-year old Kemhuong and 10-year-old Phartsokly burst out laughing at the youth leaders was a moment I’ll never forget.
I was at a primary school in the Rukh Kiri project, Cambodia. Among me were 150 young students, 18 World Vision supporters and around 20 Cambodian youth leaders.
I had spent the last week on an Experience Cambodia trip with World Vision’s Global One team – where I experienced a number of challenging, yet rewarding moments. From rubbish dump communities in the city to some of the most remote communities in Cambodia; I had the chance to meet with and hear the stories of very inspiring people.
It was an encouraging moment to witness sponsored children, Kemhuong and Phartsokly, actively learning about child rights and what they should be protected from within their community. Heads turning, the girls giggled with the crowd as they listened and watched World Vision’s volunteer youth team on stage acting out a skit about the importance of education.
Despite not knowing the language, I knew from the silly faces, high-pitched voices the ridiculous costumes (including cross-dressing) on stage that the play was funny.
I turned to Sokchea, the Rukh Kiri project’s sponsorship coordinator and asked what the children were entertained by.
“Kemhuoy is laughing because the mother in this story doesn’t let her children go to school,” Sokchea says.
He tells me how World Vision use plays and other events like this to teach children about the importance of education and how to speak up for their rights against violence.
“It’s not good,” Phartsokly says, pointing at the mother on stage holding the child by their ear. “I’m happy with my family because they let me go to school” she says smiling."