In Andong, where the challenges for children, young adults and families can sometimes seem overwhelming, Poutheary works as a social worker at SCCO. She plays a crucial role in organizing self-help groups for youth and meetings for adults in the community. In this blog, Poutheary talks about how SCCO is making a difference with its family support programs in Andong.
Empowering young people
One of the most striking aspects of Poutheary’s work is her commitment to motivating youth and young adults to actively participate in helping their communities. She regularly organizes self-help groups to inspire and educate young people. The goal? To increase their awareness of social issues and empower them to work together, including with local authorities, to solve problems.
For example, one of the topics was the use of social media and the associated risks. The young people engaged in discussions, shared their experiences, and learned how to use these modern technologies safely. Another initiative involved a group cleanup of the area around SCCO.
“My most special or unforgettable experience as a member of SCCO for almost a year is the activity where we cleaned up large-scale litter. Through this, we wanted to show the youth the importance of taking care of the environment,” Poutheary says. They also motivated local authorities, parents and their peers to pay more attention to a clean environment, “We educated them all to become good people in society,” Poutheary said.
In addition, the self-help groups address sensitive issues, such as drug use, gambling and domestic violence, which are unfortunately common in Andong. In doing so, the youth were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and discuss how to collectively address these issues.
Parent meetings and Collaboration
Poutheary’s work is not limited to young people. She also organizes meetings for parents, usually focusing on the importance of education. Part of the purpose of these meetings is to encourage parents to have their children attend school regularly. At the same time, they serve as a valuable opportunity for SCCO to gather feedback from the community. This feedback is invaluable to SCCO, as it helps to better understand the needs of the community and adjust programs to best meet them.
A bright future for Andong
In Andong, where challenges often prevail, the dedication of SCCO’s team is invaluable. As a social worker, Poutheary shows that by working together and being involved in the community, it is possible to achieve positive change. “To me, the future in Andong means a community without domestic violence, gambling problems or substance abuse.” I dream of young people having the opportunity to develop their professional skills and find employment. I hope for families with stable jobs and enough income to live comfortably. “But most importantly, I want to see children going to school, because to me, education is the key to a bright future for Andong.” , said Poutheary.
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Want to read more about SCCO’s team members? Also read the story of Sreng
