Youth's Vision of Change through Sport

“We want to see young people stay away from using drugs,” says Rey Sean, 17, youth leader of a girl volleyball team in Po Peal commune. “We want to see development in our community and people getting higher education.”

Bold and hopeful words for someone who lives in Cambodia where 53% of the population are under 25 years old. Despite economic growth, employment prospects remain poor, leaving youth vulnerable to destructive influences like gang violence, drugs and alcohol abuse.

In Sot Nikum district, Siem Reap province, where Sean lives, four volleyball teams of 48 girls, ages 15 to 19, were formed in 2013. World Vision supported the team’s uniforms, shoes and a volleyball court.

“Before, many of us [youth] spent time to smoke, gamble, use drugs and we did not have relationships with one another,” says Sean. “Now I can say, through these activities, we can see about half as much of these issues today.”

Sean has also faced prevailing cultural norms in Cambodia where women and girls are encouraged to stay at home and do housework.

“I can see that sports brings us energy and motivates us to work harder. And everything boys can do, girls can also,” says Sean.

“My mother says that it is better to stay home after school to do house chores. But I will not be discouraged from doing my favorite things and achieving my vision,” says Sean.

 Sean spends her spare time working with friends to promote sports and other important issues such as gender, health and youth mobilization. The teams help their community to develop by raising awareness and promoting youth activities.

On Sundays they also lead young children to do sports while teaching about child rights, good hygiene practice, and reading books. Children also learn from Sean’s team on how to protect themselves from natural disaster.

“I can see that sports brings us energy and motivates us to work harder. And everything boys can do, girls can also,” says Sean.

Sean and her friends hope to have volleyball tournaments with other communities soon so they can bring a championship back for their community.

“My dream is to be a sports coach and performance instructor,” says Sean.

World Vision Cambodia seeks to foster an environment in which adults mentor and support youth to be active participants in the development of their community.