Support 2000 Students in Cambodia

This Life in Families (TLIF) is a program that aims to support families with a parent in prison and works to prevent family separation and child institutionalization. This Life In Families provides holistic support to families, covering their basic needs, education, health, livelihood, and counseling. TLIF also works with prison authorities, social services, and other agencies to facilitate family visits, reunification, and reintegration. TLIF also advocates for the rights and interests of families affected by incarceration and raises awareness about their situation and challenges.

One of the stories of significant change that illustrates the impact of TLIF is Leb’s story. Leb’s situation was one of the more challenging we have come across, as she had comprehensive challenges. She had no income, struggled with homelessness, and had no hope when her husband was imprisoned for a crime in 2013. She struggled to care for her toddler daughter. She was left alone and helpless in a society more inclined towards shame and stigma than lending a helping hand.

In 2019, This Life in Families contacted Leb, whose case was referred by prison authorities. TLIF staff visited her regularly, gained a comprehensive understanding of her problems, and supported her using a holistic approach which included;

• Support to visit her husband in prison (Visiting incarcerated relatives is often logistically and financially impossible for those who are not well off).
• Food, health, and counseling support 
• Education support for her daughter, including study materials, extracurricular fees, and a bicycle 
• Chicken-raising business support, which gave her a source of income and means of self-reliance.

Leb overcame her difficulties and built a better life for herself and her daughter. She improved her living conditions, expanded her chicken-raising business, and joined a saving scheme with another NGO, LEAP. Her outlook and optmisisn has changed significantly. She is proud of her daughter, who continues to study and maintains a good relationship with her father. She said: “TLIF has been like a family to me and given me hope. I’m grateful not only for the material support I received but also for the support that has made me stronger emotionally, spiritually and made me feel like I am not alone”.

Leb’s experience is a story of resilience, empowerment, and self-reliance- despite facing adversity when the head of a household is imprisoned. Nurturing a family’s well-being, maintaining opportunities in education, building financial self-reliance all make a sustainable impact for a brighter future. TLIF has the hope of reaching more families who are affected by incarceration, and believes that providing a holistic package of support that covers their basic needs, education, health, livelihood, and counseling, while also engaging with other agencies, services and groups can bring about lasting change.

Leb’s story also shows how TLIF can prevent child institutionalization, which is the placement of children in orphanages or other residential care facilities. According to UNICEF, 80% of of children in residential care have at least one living parent. Extensive research shows that child institutionalization has many negative impacts on children’s development, well-being, identity, and rights. Children like Leb’s daughter are much better off being able to stay at with family and it is heartwarming to see the strides she continues to make.

This Life Cambodia's (TLC) programs have been pivotal in providing essential social services to support its beneficiaries during this reporting period. TLC has facilitated the distribution of twelve bicycles to children who lack transportation, enabling them to continue their education in both formal and informal settings. Additionally, sixty-eight students from lower-income households have been provided with school uniforms, while seventy-two students have received educational materials such as notebooks, student books, pens, pencils, highlighters, and bags. Moreover, ten families have been given cash transfers for a short period to alleviate food shortages, which is a basic necessity for households. Furthermore, six vocational training students have received materials and co-financial capital to open small businesses. These interventions have significantly impacted the beneficiaries' lives and paved the way for a more sustainable future.

The Vocational Training Social Enterprise (VTSE) program of This Life is dedicated to providing vocational training to youths, equipping them with the skills they need to find employment and create business opportunities. We firmly believe that just as a bicycle is essential for riding, vocational training goes hand in hand with the program's objective of offering comprehensive support to these youths.

Understanding the challenges faced by our beneficiaries, particularly in terms of transportation to access the vocational skills program, the VTSE program has taken proactive measures to address this issue. Recognizing that lack of reliable transportation can be a significant barrier for students, we have provided six bikes to ensure that they have the means to participate in the program and acquire the vocational skills they need to thrive.

As a result of this beneficiary support initiative, we are proud to announce that six vocational training students have successfully graduated from the program. To further assist them in their journey towards self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship, we have extended our support by providing them with the necessary materials to open their own businesses. This additional support not only acts as a stepping stone for these graduates but also serves as a testament to the impact of the VTSE program in transforming lives and creating sustainable opportunities.

In conclusion, our donor report highlights the remarkable achievements of the VTSE program in providing vocational training, offering beneficiary support through the provision of bicycles, and ultimately ensuring that our graduates have the necessary resources to embark on their entrepreneurial endeavours. With your continued support, we can continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of these youths, empowering them to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Case Study: Overcoming Adversities Through Vocational Training, VTSE

A student participating in the VTSE program vocational training skills TOLA said, "In seventh grade, I had to leave school due to financial constraints. The situation worsened after my father's passing, leaving my mother as the sole provider. With the burden of my father's medical expenses, I made the decision to work in construction to support my family and ensure my siblings could continue their education. For years, I endured challenging conditions, doing whatever was necessary to help my family. However, deep down, I yearned for a brighter future where I could enhance my skills and secure a stable income. In 2022, I came across an announcement for vocational training at This Life Cambodia (TLC) and decided to pursue motor vocation skills, a long-standing interest of mine. I applied with the hope that it would pave the way for me to escape poverty. Thanks to TLC's support, I was able to enroll in the program and find a partner who assisted me throughout my training. The vocational training equipped me with the necessary reall skills and confidence to excel as a motorcycle mechanic repairer. I learned the latest techniques, adhered to safety protocols, and had the opportunity to work on real projects and theories. The hands-on training allowed me to refine my skills and gain practical experience, setting the stage for a brighter future. Today, I take great pride in completing the vocational training program and I have stable income generation through own business, which base on the skill that I learned with TLC to support my family and especially my siblings, to stay educated." 

I am grateful to TLC for their unwavering support and for believing in my potential. In conclusion, the VTSE program provided by TLC has been a life-changing experience for me. Through their help, I could transcend the limitations imposed upon me by my circumstances and pave a new path towards success. My story is a testament to the transformative power of vocational training. My journey can inspire others facing similar challenges to pursue their dreams and break free from the cycle of poverty. This case study serves as a submission to our valued donors, showcasing the impact of their investment in changing lives and creating opportunities," he added.