Being Part of Riverkids Foundation

My name Khin Preakdey and I work as an Education Coordinator with Riverkids Foundation.

Everyday I have to start work at around 7, earlier than the others, as I have a lot to do. My main responsibility is to prepare various documents and class materials for our Riverkids’ teachers ensuring that they are able to get access to effective teaching methods and materials. Besides this, I also give English and Life Skills lessons to a group of Get-ready girls. Basically, Get-ready is a vocational training program catered for girls aged 12-22, preparing them with useful skills which include sewing, cooking, personal finances and more. Furthermore, I am responsible for writing reports concerning the progress of the Get-ready girls, and supplying stationery for the students.

I have been working at Riverkids Foundation for about four months and I really enjoy my work because it makes me feel like I am involved in helping to develop the future of Cambodia. The reason I am here with Riverkids is simply because of the children. Having seen many of Cambodian children suffering from malnutrition, and labor and sexual exploitation, my interest in getting involved in any way possible to help them has been stirred. Many Cambodian children have no access to education. While they should be sitting in class studying and learning, instead they are scavenging for money for their own daily survival. Despite having parents, some children have been ignored and are forced to work to scavenge or beg to get money to support their family. A large number of these children are facing labor exploitation and sex trafficking.

Admittedly, my work is not that easy as I have to interact with various types of children who come from families filled with violence and drugs. Also, the community we work with is unsafe as drugs and drunkenness is common and widespread. However, I still love what I do and want to be part of the community development. Hopefully, I will be able to contribute as much as possible to impart knowledge to all the children and bring them hope so that they have the self-confidence to develop their own future.

For too long, the children have been ignored. If we continue to ignore them, the consequences for them and for the Cambodian society as a whole will further worsen. I am fortunate to have been brought up in a warm, loving and caring family, and it is my hope to see every single Cambodian child enjoy the various opportunities like I have.