“Before COVID-19, I ate the chicken stew, but after the disease outbreak, I have been surviving on rice with soya sauce. My parents used to regularly send me 100,000 to 150,000 Riels (US dollars $24 - $36). However, after COVID-19, my parents rarely send me the money because it’s hard and they have no money to spare,” says Lisa.

“One day, I was chosen to be a community educator, but I was ridiculed by some. They said I couldn’t educate people while I was not well educated.”

However, Samnang adds: “Despite their words, I didn’t quit.”

“I know how it feels to be discriminated. I won’t do the same to others,” says the thirteen-year-old Kompheak, one of One Goal’s premiere soccer players in Svay Chek, Banteay Meanchey province.

Sreyni was forced to leave school when she was 5 years old since her parents couldn’t afford her education. At 15, she was convinced to work in a garment factory. Thankfully, World Vision has supported her to be part of the vocational training, she’s now working full-time and got promoted in a higher position at a construction company in Phnom Penh.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause of 45% of all child deaths in Cambodia. World Vision has been running a health and nutrition programme focusing on infants and children under 5 years old, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding woman, working with community volunteers to promote behavioral changes and access to appropriate health and nutrition guidance.