Ending trafficking before it begins in Cambodia

Heng Sokunthea is an active and resilient Change Agent. This bright, passionate young woman is on a journey of self-discovery, determined to find her true calling in life  

Money is tight, and Sokunthea had worried about how she could afford university after high school. "I worried when I finish high school because my parents don't have enough money to pay for my university," she shared. Thankfully, Sokunthea has the support of AusCam. She met with AusCam's staff to discuss her concerns about the future, and it proved to be a pivotal moment. Armed with this newfound clarity, Sokunthea secured a scholarship to fund her university education. "I know what I want to do, but I cannot join university because I cannot pay for it. I'm so grateful to AusCam for giving me a scholarship that helps me reach my goal."

But Sokunthea doesn't stop there. She also works part-time as a peer mentor at AusCam's Glow Club, a club that teaches young women about female health issues. She is honing her soft skills and earning a small stipend to contribute to her studies. "My parents didn't want me to work, they just wanted me to focus on my studies. But I explained to them that I want to gain experience and also support my finances."..." I'm trying new things to find my true passion and purpose.” she said.

Sokunthea is also exploring leadership and her role as an active citizen - she is a leader within the group of young women who are leading the sisterhood of Change Agents. In the past months, that voluntary leadership has seen her speaking with National level Government leaders, mentoring campaign groups, leading large scale leadership and training youth in some of Cambodia's most remote locations. Sokunthea's journey has not been without its challenges. She is juggling a lot and dealing with incredible responsibilities.  

With the support of AusCam and her unwavering spirit, Sokunthea is well on her way to discovering her true passion and achieving her dreams. She is a leader, a Change Agent and a scholar, but above all she is a young woman following her heart with courage and conviction, determined to make the world a better place. 

She is our hero.