This september marked an unforgettable milestone for Sokun who is one of the dedicated social workers in the SCCO team, our partner organization in Cambodia. Sokun has been part of SCCO as a social worker since 2018. She traveled to the Netherlands to attend a Youth Conference and meet DARA Europe volunteers. For her, it was more than a trip abroad. It was an opportunity to learn, to share and to return home with new inspiration for her work in Cambodia. It was also her very first time leaving Southeast Asia, making the journey both exciting and courageous.
Connecting with DARA Europe
A highlight of Sokun’s trip was meeting a part of DARA Europe volunteers team. During a team meeting, she shared an update about SCCO’s recent developments. She also learned from all the updates from our working groups.
“I felt so sentimental meeting everyone,” Sokun said warmly. “I could see how the DARA Europe team works together, discussing, collecting ideas, and showing commitment to support SCCO. Even when things are hard, they stay positive and active.”
What impressed her most was their spirit of kindness and persistence. “Everyone tries their best and they never give up. That inspired me to bring the same energy back home.”
Discovering global voices at the Youth Conference
Then she attended the Youth Conference in Amsterdam. The event brought together young people and professionals from across the globe, creating a space full of stories, ideas and inspiration.
“I met lots of youth and people from different countries,” she said. “I was able to share and learn, to hear about education and culture in different places and to build networks. Most importantly, I learned to be more confident.”
One story in particular touched her deeply. A young woman from Mexico shared about the struggles many girls face in her country, including teenage pregnancies caused by poverty and a lack of education. “She told us that despite all this, she began earning her own income and gathering people for charity, starting from her own home,” Sokun recalled. “That inspired me so much, she showed that change can begin small but make a big difference.”
The conference reminded Sokun that challenges for women and children exist everywhere, not only in Cambodia. “As we talked and asked questions, we searched for solutions,” she reflected. “It encouraged me to see myself as a supporter, but also as a future leader in my community.”
A warm welcome in the Netherlands
Beyond these events, Sokun enjoyed a true Dutch experience. She stayed with DARA Europe’s founder Tirza and her sisters Nienke and Judith. For both Judith and Sokun it was heartwarming to see each other again, after working and spending a lot of time together in Cambodia in the past year. Also, Nienke welcomed her into her family which gave Sokun a glimpse into Dutch culture and daily life. “The family’s warm welcome was one of the most memorable parts of my trip,” Sokun said with a smile.
She especially enjoyed visiting the cities of Delft and Utrecht, describing them as unique and beautiful places. And on her last day, she was definitely saying yes to another “Broodje Kroket.”
Lessons to take home
From this experience and her time in the Netherlands, Sokun carries powerful lessons home for her work in Andong. Above all, she learned the immense value of teamwork and strategic planning.
“To work as a team, to think strategically, and to prepare in advance. These are things I want to share with my SCCO colleagues,” she explained. “They will help us grow and expand our work in Andong.”
In addition, she emphasizes the importance of individual skills: “to plan and prepare carefully, set priorities, stay confident, and communicate clearly are the foundation for the team’s success.”
Looking back and expressing gratitude
Looking back, Sokun sees her journey as more than a trip. It was a bridge, connecting Cambodia to the Netherlands, linking her personal growth to her community’s future and connecting with people who share the same vision of hope.
The exchange between Cambodia and the Netherlands was all about sharing experiences and led to a wonderful, two-way cultural exchange. This offered insights into each other’s daily customs and even produced some hilarious moments! Most importantly, the meeting confirmed that cross-border collaboration is about learning from each other, which ultimately strengthened both the SCCO and DARA Europe teams.
She expressed her heartfelt thanks to the DARA Europe team: “Thank you for your hard work, love, and support for the people and children in our community. I feel so grateful for everything you have done”
For Sokun, the trip was not just about learning and travelling abroad but about returning home stronger. Ready to inspire, lead and create lasting change in Andong.
