moul matte no42_english

Moul Matte vol. 42 January 2012 1

Volume 42 January 2012

“Then I think, yes I can” WV youth leaders

reflect on the MTV EXIT Youth Forum

> Page 4

Srey Meas* Swears to Never To Be Trafficked AgainBy: Vichheka Sok, Transformational Development Communications Officer

Youth Leaders Commit to Choose Safe Migration at MTV EXIT Youth Forum

“ Young people can be agents of change. Let’s continue

working together to build a safer Cambodia where all

Cambodian children can live life in all its fullness ........” > Page 3

Children Able to Participate and Raise Concerns

at Public Forum

> Page5

Srey Meas* is 18 years old and her family lives in a remote area of Cambodia close to the Thailand

border. Srey Meas’s life has not been easy. She was lied to by a private recruiting company that sends girls to work in Malaysia. Her parents and Srey Meas first met the recruiter because there were many other girls in their village who have also migrated to work in Malaysia. At first, she didn’t agree to work in Malaysia, but instead asked the recruiter if she could go see the company’s facilities located

in Phnom Penh City. She travelled to Phnom Penh with the recruiter and was persuaded to stay at the company’s shelter with other girls.

After two days, Srey Meas finally decided to return home, but the recruiter did not allow her to go unless she gave the company USD$125 (500,000 Riels)to compensate for her travel, meal, and accommodation expenses at the company’s shelter. Srey Meas did not have the money, so she was forced to stay at

the company to learn how to do house chores and speak Malaysian language.

“I was beaten many times by a female manager while I was learning Malaysian language and being trained how to do housework. I sometimes wanted to escape from that place but it’s locked with a high fence. All the girls including me lived like prisoners,” Srey Meas said.

Finally, the time came for Srey Meas to go to Malaysia. When Srey Meas arrived, she was immediately put to work. Every day, Srey Meas woke up at 4am and worked till midnight cleaning 5 houses. Srey Meas did not eat well during her life in Malaysia. Her breakfast consisted of two slices of bread, noodles for lunch, and she never had dinner.

Life was miserable and there seemed to be no end to the hardships. The male house owners would try to sleep with

If you want to go back to Cambodia, you must cut your

own wrist now

“

”Feat

ure

Sto

ry

Moul Matte vol. 42 January 20122

Srey Meas and the housewives would beat her.

Srey Meas said, “Then one day, a house owner’s wife scolded and beat me and said I was lazy and just pretended to be busy. She then gave me a knife and said ‘if you want to go back to Cambodia, you must cut your own wrist now.’”

On the brink of tears, Srey Meas shared, “I decided to cut my wrist because I had no hope working as a housekeeper with so many people being mean to me. I did not have a way to go back home; and if I kept working in Malaysia, I’ll die one day from working so hard with no salary. I was really missing my family, so when I heard I might be sent back to Cambodia, I didn’t think about any of the risks.”

Srey Meas became unconsciousness after cutting her wrist. When she awoke, she was in the hospital. Eventually, she was later sent back to Cambodia. Srey Meas arrived home traumatized and thought she was in a dream. Srey Meas said, “I thought it was a dream, and I couldn’t make any sound when I first saw my family members. I was so scared of any strangers. I talked only with my family members. I did not believe that I was here with my family again. I will never go to work in Malaysia ever again.”

Srey Meas was referred to staff of World Vision’s Mekong Delta Regional Trafficking Strategy Project (MDRTSP) II’s by a Deputy Governor of Rukhakiri District. From the project, Srey Meas received counseling and emotional support.

“I attended the World Vision training about ‘the 10 things you need to know about trafficking.’ I now understand my rights and the methods of traffickers. I share with other girls in the village about my hardship experience in Malaysia. I encourage younger children to study hard and find other jobs locally, it’s safer,” she said.

In reflection, Srey Meas said, “I am happy to return home and have good people like World Vision staff who give me good support and give me a new career. They help me to open a grocery store at home. I can earn more money to support my family. I hope I will become a business woman in the future.”

Note: Srey Meas* is not her real name.

Young People Producing Film on Unsafe MigrationBy: Vichheka Sok, Transformational Development Communications Officer

In early December, a group of young people from Leuk Daek ADP began production on their second film to

share about unsafe migration in their community.

Youth leader and the film’s director, Hoeun Hun, 20, said, “We decided to film about unsafe migration because it happens in our community and throughout the whole country. Most people migrate to Thailand and Malaysia and we think it’s not safe because there are lots of brokers.”

“Our first project was just a general film about migration; and we used that film to educate our community people through

awareness raising. I also shared it with children club members and other children in the community. We fight against and want to eliminate all unsafe migration in the community.”

Cameraman Chanthy Chhoun is also looking forward to make a difference with this second effort.

“I am now getting used to the camera and know how to use it well. I am happy with this work, and I hope this will help to educate other people especially youth and children about unsafe migration,” he says.

After the first film’s screening in the community, the young filmmakers

observed that some households made decisions to not allow their children to migrate across the border due to the potential dangers.

The filming is supported by World Vision’s End-Trafficking-In-Persons (ETIP) Program- Policy Pillar Project, which has enabled young people to concept, script, film, and produce their own short videos that speak to issues they identify as important to their communities. Through their films, these young people hope to bring change to their community and influence peers to make better decisions, especially when it comes to migration.

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PHNOM PENH – From December 14 to 17, 46 youth leaders from throughout Cambodia gathered

to learn about human trafficking and how they can protect themselves and their communities from the tragic consequences of unsafe migration.

The National Youth Creative Anti-Trafficking Forum organized by MTV EXIT and World Vision Cambodia sought to teach skills that will allow Cambodian youth activists to run effective human trafficking awareness campaigns, introduce creativity as a method of communicating an important social message and promote online tools as a way to maximize on the ground campaigning and extend networks to people beyond immediate communities.

To sustain momentum for the campaign achieved over the three-day workshop, MTV EXIT will support the participating youth leaders to organize road show events across Cambodia in 2012.

“I am so encouraged to see how the support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, MTV EXIT, and our partner

organizations have brought together this group of promising youth people,” said Ms. Esther Halim, Country Director of World Vision Cambodia during her opening remarks.

“Young people can be agents of change. Let’s continue working together to build a safer Cambodia where all Cambodian children can live life in all its fullness,” she said.

Mr. Matt Love, MTV EXIT Director said, “We are excited to return to Cambodia with the launch of MTV EXIT’s new series of youth-oriented activities to take another step forward in raising awareness among youth people. We will continue to come back to support the national anti-trafficking movement here in Cambodia.” MTV EXIT was previously in Cambodia in 2008.

The first day of the workshop was focused on educating the youth leaders on what human-trafficking means and to ensure youth have a solid understanding of the issue they will campaign on.

The following days were all about how to use creativity and social technology to

send a message. Participants were divided into four groups to attend creative workshops for painting, photography, script writing and role-play, and public speaking. Each group was given the challenge of communicating the message “Choose Safe Migration” through their assigned creative mediums.

The youth participants were given a smart phone with one-year free internet connectivity so they can continue networking to share information on human-trafficking and migration after the workshop comes to a close. Participants also learned how to use social media to stay connected, encourage each other, and keep one another updated on their campaigning.

At night on 17th December, MTV EXIT organized a free concert at the Olympic Stadium where over 40,000 young people attended featuring performances by famous Khmer singers, American band Click Five, and Korean girl pop group After School.

Youth Leaders Commit to Choose Safe Migration at MTV EXIT Youth ForumBy: Vichheka Sok, Transformational Development Communications Officer

Youth Voice

Sopheak,19, Battambang, placed first in painting workshop pre-test


“I love my family and I love all young people especially girls. I want them all to be safe. I have learned

lots with World Vision about human trafficking. I am so scared of it, but we can solve this problem.”

“These four days were amazing because

there were many skillful facilitators to

teach us how to paint, take photography,

speak in public, write scripts and role

play and guide us how to use the

internet and social media. I am so

excited when I got a cell phone from

this forum. It encourages me to study

hard and I am curious to know more

about the world.”

“All sessions I have learned here, I

will share to my family members first,

then all children club members, and

neighbors. I have already planned in my

mind role playing and a campaign in my

community.”

“The first day of the forum, I noticed other youth seemed very active and they are so smart. I kept quiet to

myself and listened to their sharing with the team.”

“I have learned lots from all youths

and facilitators. I am so excited and

it’s unbelievable that my painting was

selected as number one amongst 46

youths. Then I think, yes I can. I will share

all my knowledge with my friends when I

return home.”

“I will do my best to encourage other

youth in my village to fight against human

trafficking and I will share with those

who want to migrate.”

“I learned how to use the internet

through the forum. I am happy to hear

people from other organizations like the

Cambodian government, ASEAN, and

country Ambassadors who support the

fight against human trafficking. I hope

human trafficking will be no more in the

country.”

“Then I think, yes I can” WV Youth Leaders Reflect on the MTV EXIT Youth ForumBy: Vichheka Sok, Transformational Development Communications Officer

Samphors Koy, 19, Svay Pak

Youth Voice

Child Participation


On December 8, 2011, World Vision cooperated with local authorities in Borribor District,

Kampong Chhnang province to conduct a public forum on “Promote Care and Support Services for Children for Fullness of Life.”

The aim of the public forum was to improve essential social services such as child protection, education, health care, social affairs, legal implementation and birth registration. The forum facilitated question and answer sessions relating to health, education, and social services between children, community people, and relevant government officials.

Seng Chounleng, Programme Manager for World Vision’s Orphan and Vulnerable Children Programme, “Through the event, the participants have a chance to advocate on particular issues and seek for better implementation of services. Furthermore, the children are encouraged to raise

their voice with the local authority and government officers.”

On behalf of other students Chay Sambathratana and his friend Chan Theara raised concerns during the forum and also committed to being part of the solution. “We would disseminate this knowledge that we learnt from the forum to all our friends in and outside the school. And we hope teachers would be patient with the students too since there are problems caused by teachers, such as how they

choose to punishment students. Also, some teachers do not teach the most important lessons during regular school hours and ask students to pay for extra sessions,” said Sambathratana

After the event the group of participating government officials and World Vision staff reflected on how to improve social services based on the issues raised and also how to plan for better forum for the future.

Children Able to Participate and Raise Concerns at Public ForumBy Ratana Lay, Communications Officer

National Advocacy Conference By: Nav Chantharith, Office Assistant for Writing

Phnom Penh - On 22-23rd November 2011, Urban Discovery Project of World Vision Cambodia co-

organized the National Advocacy Conference with 17 NGOs. The theme for the conference was “Working Together for Natural Resource Governance and Implementation of National Development Strategic Plan.”

Over 300 participants attended the conference including government officials,

NGO representatives, people affected by land disputes from 24 municipal-provinces, and their legal representatives.

World Vision’s Urban Discovery Project Manager, Mr. Sim Dara said, “It is important for people affected by land disputes and related institutions to dialogue together on the challenges. Land is currently a hot issue.”

Participants in the conference were

divided into three groups to dialogue, raise their concerns and make their requests to NGOs, donors, and especially government stakeholders to seek their intervention to resolve land issues. The conference also offered attendees an opportunity to better understand the law, national strategies, and government policies that contribute to development in order to avoid the negative impact on poor people.

“This year, the government seemed more responsive to victims’ concerns and requests than in previous years due to the growing confidence of participants. In addition to this national event, World Vision Cambodia regularly brings together government authorities, NGOS, and people who live in the World Vision’s target area every three months to dialogue on evictions and land registration,” said Mr. Sim Dara.

Advocacy Highlight


News in Brief

“Human rights are essential for people living in society. We must recognize this day so all people can live with dignity and justice,” says Mr. Vanthorn Nhem on CTN TV’s talk

show about the 63rd Anniversary of International Human Rights Day.

This year, World Vision among a group of 15 other NGOs, supported the International Human Rights Day celebration in Phnom Penh at Freedom Park. Over 2,000 people marched with banners and celebrated the day’s theme: “Independent Judiciary and Freedom of Expression are the Foundation for Social Justice and Respect for Human Rights.”

On 20 December, Leuk Daek ADP staff celebrated World AIDS Day under the theme, “Getting to Zero” putting focus on achieving zero new HIV infections,

zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

The event’s objective was to spread the message to communities and local authorities that HIV and AIDS is a shared problem, and does not just belong to those living with HIV.

Over 300 people joined the event presided by Mr. Tri Kong, Operations Manager of North zone of World Vision Cambodia.

“World Vision never ignores this issue and we work hard to prevent any form of discrimination to HIV patients or children whose parents have died of AIDS. We are happy to see HIV patients playing an important role in community development and participate in activities such as model farmers and saving group leaders. Together, we can get to zero,” he said.

“All children should think about the importance of their education as it will be the light for their future,” says Mr. Vanna Soeum on CTN TV’s Life Skills in Education

Program on 19 December.

During the program, Mr. Vanna focused on life skills as a key component of World Vision’s education program, especially through children groups and youth clubs. Through learning life skills, children and youth can become agents of social change to develop and build peace in their communities.

On 23 December, World Vision Cambodia and VisionFund held its annual Christmas party at the National Office, inviting all staff and their families

to join together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to bring light into the world of darkness (theme verse: Luke 1:78-89).

“Celebrating Christmas has deep meaning for our life. Jesus is the most important gift for Christians. So let us enjoying being together with hope and love,” said Mr. Vibol Chab, World Vision Operations Director.

The programme included singing worship songs, scripture reading, dancing, Christmas trivia games, a Christmas play, and prayer.

International Human Rights Day

Getting to Zero

Education Talk Show on CTN

Celebrating Christmas

03 January 2012, Phnom Penh

WVC Leaders Meet High Ranking

Government Officials


WVC host Regional Anti-Trafficking

Conference


WV staff talking about Child Health on CTN

TV Program “Morning News Updates”

09 January 2012, Preah Vihear

WVC handover vehicles to the

Government


WVC Welcome the Women of Vision

Delegation from USA


Focus on Strategy

What’s Happening with Our Strategy?

Our strategy documents are finished…

Our National Strategy and most of our Secondary Strategies were completed in FY11 and are available for download in the Cambodia Bulletin Board > Strategic Management.

… but there is still much to be done to turn our strategies into action.

Documents on their own don’t take us very far towards changing our direction. The priorities and approaches in the documents need to become part of us, to influence what we do and how we do it.

Each of us needs to know what the strategy means for us and our teams – what kind of changes need to happen…

We are working on an implementation plan that takes our big strategic objectives and breaks them down into smaller changes that are understandable and manageable for department and teams. We are also developing tools to communicate these changes in ways that make sense to people in different parts of the organization.

…and we need to work out how to measure our progress in making the changes happen.

We are working out practical ways to measure the change so that we can track our progress, creating processes for monitoring that build on the measurement systems that are already in place.

So here’s a summary of our priorities for turning strategy into action:

1. Improve our plans that link our long-term strategy to our day-to-day operations

2. Translate and communicate the strategy in ways that make it real to people

3. Launch our system for strategic monitoring

In following editions of Moul Matte this year, we’ll be regularly updating strategy developments as well as introducing to you the communication resources and tools to help you and your teams put strategy to action. STAY TUNED!

Have any questions about strategy? E-mail us and we’ll have our strategy experts to reply in the next Moul Matte.

What’s Going on in January


Eighteen year old girl Sreyroth and her brother Vuth, 19, live about a two hour drive from Phnom Penh

City, the capital of Cambodia, live in a small house with an old zinc-roof and worn out palm leaf walls. Together, they live with their 70-year old grandmother. Their parents died of AIDS years ago. As a result, they grew up experiencing many difficulties. They are very thin with big stomachs and pale dried skin. They both look like they haven’t smiled for a very long time.

Life is hard for Sreyroth, Vuth, and their old grandmother. There simply is not enough food for them to eat. Vuth sadly shares, “Our daily food is just tamarind leaves mixed with salt, and sometimes boiled small fishes.”

Sreyroth and Vuth look really different from the other children. They are small with faces appearing beyond their actual age and they live with constant reminders that they are unhealthy. Sreyroth sobs, “I get pain inside my stomach almost every night and it’s hard for me to sleep well. Lately, my eyes get blurry.”

“And because of how I look, other children in the village tease me and my brother with rude words and calling out ‘Hey you are grandmother and grandfather,’” said Sreyroth.

“I feel sad because my grandchildren get stomachache so often and I don’t know what to do besides applying balm on their stomach. But they still get pain and cry,” said the grandmother. “The doctors said there is a malignant growth in their stomach, and it can be cured if we have enough money to get an operation. Everything needs money to be solved, but we are so poor,”

The grandmother earns a meager income by collecting firewood and picking tamarind leaves in the village and sells them to buy food.

As an 18 year old, Sreyroth doesn’t want herself to look small and ugly. Her family is supported by World Vision’s Community Care for Children of HIV and AIDS Programme which covers their education and basic needs. The project staff has tried many ways to send the two

siblings for health check ups in the local community and the capital city. The staff has even sent them to meet an American doctor on a missionary ship to Cambodia last year in Sihanouk Province. However, their health is still not getting better. Sreyroth said, “I sometimes cry in the night from my stomach pains, but World Vision staff have continued to help me meet many doctors. I really want to be healthy and have a happy life.”

Sreyroth said, “I hope I can become a good teacher if I have a good health.” And Vuth said, “I want to be a doctor because I want to cure everybody, but I don’t know if I can be because I am sick now and I feel hopeless.”

“We want to be healthy and live longer so we can take care of our grandmother who is already old,” they shared.

Pray for Children

Orphan Children Live With SicknessBy: Vichheka Sok, Transformational Development Communications Officer

Please keep Sreyroth and Vuth with in your prayers, that God would heal and protect them so they can

live a full life.

“”


You will apply what you have learned about child development from the last issue of newsletter to think

about what might be causing the child’s behavior. This practice will help you to develop an effective response.

The major challenge for parents of young babies is coping with crying.

Imagine this… Your 10-week-old baby has been crying for several minutes.

Please think about what you read in the last Moul Matte about this developmental stage. Now list as many reasons as you can for your baby’s crying.

Did you include reasons such as: hunger, thirst, pain, too warm, too cold wet diaper, sickness, fear, needing to be cuddled, needing to be rocked or carried?

If so, congratulations! You have applied your knowledge to figure out why the baby is crying.

Now imagine this… It is early evening. Your 10-week-old baby has been crying for 30 minutes. You have tried:

• feeding her

• checking to make sure that nothing is pinching or poking her

• removing clothes or blankets

• adding clothes or blankets

• checking for a fever

• soothing her with rocking, singing or carrying

• rubbing her back

And she is still crying, think again about what you read in the last Moul Matte about this developmental stage.

Did you include reasons such as:

• pain that you can’t detect

• illness that you can’t detect

• stomach gas

• normal crying patterns?

If so, congratulations! You have applied your knowledge of a baby’s development to figure out why your baby is still crying.

Remember that babies never cry to make you mad. Babies don’t understand that you have feelings. They only cry because they have to.

Problem Solving with Your Baby During 0 to 6 Months of Age

Writer, Translator and Photographer

Mr. Albert Yu Communications and Media Relations Manager

Ms. Lay Ratana Communications Officer

Mr. Kong Sopheak Digital Media Officer

Ms. Sok Vichheka Transformational Development

Communications Officer

Mr. Nav Chantharith Office Assistant for Writing

Mr. Lychheang Seyha Communications Publications Officer

Mr. Um Vanndeth Communications and Publications Intern

EditorMr. Albert Yu

Communications and Media Relations Manager

Ms. Lay Ratana Communications Officer

Ms. Sok VichhekaTransformational Development Communications

Officer

Design and LayoutMr. Lychheang Seyha

Communications Publications Officer

The Communications and Media Relations Department would like to thank those who contributed to this edition of Moul Matte newsletter.

We welcome all contributions for the next issue. Please forward your programme news, photos,

staff opinion, recent events, etc. to [email protected] (or send your letter to National Office) in the Communications and Media

Relations Department before Friday, 27th January 2012.

Thank you very much!

World Vision Cambodia# 20, Street 71, Tonle Bassac, Chamkar Morn, P.O Box 479

Phnom Penh - Cambodia | Phone: +855-23-216 052 | Fax: +855-23-216 220Email: [email protected] | www.worldvision.org.kh

Health Focus:

Baby Care