In a Cambodian primary school in the Sang Voeuy commune, a whirlwind of energy fills the air as children rush into their new library, their voices filled with excitement. Aucklander Fiona Whyte, a long-time World Vision sponsor, smiles as she watches the scene unfold.
The exuberance of the children and their celebration of knowledge was palpable and heartwarming. Fiona says “The sight of the children diving into their selections – some reading in pairs, others in small groups – was a stark contrast to the hushed libraries back home in New Zealand. It was a bubble of joy. So much energy, so much enthusiasm for learning! Their joy was infectious. I was having such a blast reading and engaging with them. It felt like we were all part of something bigger, a community thriving together.”
The newly refurbished library is just one of the community projects made possible through World Vision’s work in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Fiona has been coming to Cambodia since 2008. Her first visit was for a World Vision cycling challenge.
“The flyer promoting the challenge promised a life-changing experience, and it delivered,” she says. “I was struck by how little I understood about poverty. We often live in blissful ignorance, sheltered by systems that don’t exist in places like Cambodia. They don’t have support structures in place, government assistance or it can be difficult to access educational opportunities for those who need it most.”
Fiona’s experiences in Cambodia have fuelled her passion for microfinance and community empowerment, which also led her to serve as a board member for World Vision New Zealand for several years and as a non-executive director for a Cambodian bank, formerly a microfinance organisation owned by Vision Fund International.
But Fiona’s latest visit to Siem Reap was her most personal yet as she was visiting to connect with her seven-year-old sponsored child Sokhavit and her family. The trip was sparked by a heartfelt email from Sokhavit’s mother, Soken, who had extended the invite. When Fiona discovered that a friend was also going to be in Cambodia for a work conference, it provided the perfect opportunity to visit.
“I couldn’t wait to get back to the grassroots level, to hear the stories and understand the challenges that people face,” Fiona says. “Even though I have worked in finance supporting development, it’s essential to keep these realities in perspective, especially as the area is growing so rapidly.”
Upon her arrival in Siem Reap, Fiona was met by a community in transition, alive with potential and possibility. While much progress had been made thanks to World Vision’s programmes, there were still many families living in severe poverty.
Meeting Sokhavit and her family was both emotional and enlightening. Over lunch in a quaint café in the Chi Kraeng district, Fiona was struck by the effort the four daughters had taken to prepare for her visit.
“It was evident they had pride in their appearance,” she says. As they sat together, Sokhavit’s mother presented Fiona with an exercise book showcasing her daughter’s schoolwork. “She’s writing in Khmer confidently at just seven years old, that’s no easy feat.”
Sokhavit’s mother, Soken, had fully embraced the Positive Parenting training and other training courses provided by World Vision. “She was beaming,” Fiona recalls. “So proud of her girls and so enthusiastic about the work she was doing.”
Not only had the mother become a more confident parent, but she was also recognised by the village chief for her advocacy work, earning a small income through her community efforts. Soken is a Community Accountability Facilitator (CAF) for World Vision Cambodia, which involves promoting awareness of the commune budget and making citizens aware of their rights.
“It starts with the family,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “What you see in Sokhavit is now influencing her younger sister, and in turn, her mother, Soken, is reaching out to the wider community. It is a cycle of empowerment, illustrating that one individual’s growth can uplift an entire community.”
During Fiona’s visit she witnessed the intersection of hope and hardship. While Fiona experienced joy in meeting Soken and her well-presented children, she couldn’t help but think of the other children that she had seen within the community who were wearing worn and tattered clothing, a reminder that there is still much to be done to ensure that all families receive the support they need.
Fiona also met with community leaders at a cooperative water treatment station, which has been operating for the past decade. In the stifling heat, where sweat dripped from foreheads, Fiona and the community leaders tackled pressing issues, delving into discussions about financial viability and documentation. They aspired to expand their operations but faced challenges in securing the necessary funding to do so.
During their discussions, she learned that the cooperative provided community members with small loans, which were more than just financial support; they were lifelines. “By providing small loans to community members, they were helping them stay in their community rather than migrating to Thailand or other countries for work.
Many families faced the painful choice of leaving their children with grandparents, who may or may not ensure they attended school or received adequate nutrition. When parents leave for work, it creates a cycle of uncertainty. Grandparents are left to care for their grandchildren, and the children’s well-being is at risk. The struggle for economic stability could easily lead to broken homes and disrupted education.”
Fiona felt firsthand the collective heartbeat of the community – a pulse fuelled by an unwavering desire to create a brighter tomorrow for its children. “These people are incredibly passionate,” Fiona says. “They genuinely want the best for these children and their families. Witnessing that firsthand was uplifting.”
As her journey ended, she reflected on the interconnectedness of the experiences that she’d had from the library buzzing with youthful exuberance to the water treatment cooperative, which represented the hard work and resilience of families – every victory contributes to a larger narrative of progress.
What really stood out to Fiona was that the community was committed to doing the best they could for the community members. From a devoted World Vision worker, who uplifted the community through education and advocacy, to a principal at the local primary school, whose passion and vision ignited the spirits of those around him, everyone was unwavering in their commitment to better the community.
“The principal was just three years away from retirement but still brimming with ideas for the school’s future,” Fiona says. “It was evident he wanted the best for his students and the community.”
The transformations that Fiona had witnessed were a powerful reminder of the potential for change when communities are supported. “This trip really sealed the deal in terms of what success from child sponsorship looks like and reminds me why we do this work – to support and empower communities and create pathways for sustainable development.”
As she prepared for her journey home, her heart was full, knowing that her contributions and the contributions of others were helping to pave the way for a brighter future – not just for her sponsored child Sokhavit, but for generations to come thanks to the unwavering commitment of individuals determined to uplift communities and make a difference, one child at a time.
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