Let me tell you about these guys. I had the opportunity to work with them last summer when I volunteered teaching some workshops at the Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC). EYC is an NGO that has 4 community schools located in the slums in Phnom Penh, two of which are in Boeung Kak area where I worked and where the residents are currently facing eviction from the government.

I spent a week teaching classes on Leadership, Community, and Society where I managed to get them to engage and discuss about their roles and responsibilities in making a difference in their community. We spent a lot of time talking about how a community needs leadership and leaders especially in their neighborhood. Long story short, these kids were an amazing group of potential leaders who were eager for knowledge and looking for ways to make a difference in their community. After I left, I found out that they started a youth club called Karuna Youth Club – Karuna means kindness.

They have done extraordinary work in their community and nearby villages. They raised money and donation of school supplies, clothes, and food to give out to a poorer community. They organized a community cleanup to combat mosquitoes and to raise awareness about malaria and dengue fever. They held leadership and community building workshops for younger teens in poor villages. They hosted educational workshops and outreach programs to many teens in their community.

After witnessing what their living condition in the slums was like, I couldn’t help but felt somewhat hopeless. However, their action took me by surprise. I am so proud to see that they still have the hearts to put others first. They show kindness and compassion to those who are less fortunate. They reach out to those in needs. I admire their strengths in dealing with so many obstacles in their own life while continuing to find ways to help others. They are quite inspirational

This is why I wish to give at least 3 of them an opportunity to go on to college. They deserve it.