Pin Rachana (prefers not to describe their gender identity), a 16-year-old 11th grader at Hun Sen Mondolkiri High School in Mondulkiri province, is a dedicated youth peer educator and team leader of the project addressing child marriage within the Volunteer for My Community (VMC) initiative. Rachana, one of five siblings raised by trader parents, has taken the initiative to compete with two local schools on the youth initiative under VMC programme.
Before establishing the project, Rachana participated in two training sessions with VMC in Siem Reap at the end of 2023. These sessions provided essential skills in project writing, management, and various soft skills. Although the training was challenging due to its extensive content, Rachana was fortunate to have supportive parents as they began their journey as a youth volunteer and peer educator.
In a group of five, Rachana and peers decided to address the issue of child marriage, which is prevalent in Mondulkiri—a province known for its 3rd highest dropout rates related to early marriage, following Stoeng Treng and Ratanakiri Provinces. With the support from the provincial governor and the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, the group received a donation of 600,000 Riels to implement their project, which covered materials, travel expenses, and interviews with women who were married at a young age.
Rachana and the team enjoyed the process, receiving regular guidance from VMC’s capital / provincial youth focal points, as well as technical support from CHC, UNFPA, and UNYAP. They learned about the complexities of child marriage, research methods, and effective presentation skills. Rachana proudly reported that their project educated 62 secondary school students—including 40 girls—and 19 vocational school students, raising awareness about the definitions and consequences of early child marriage.
To measure their impact, Rachana's team conducted pre-and post-tests and collected testimonials from participants. This feedback highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement. A particularly rewarding moment for Rachana as a team leader was witnessing the engagement and curiosity of participants, who actively asked questions and discussed issues relevant to their communities. Many expressed their commitment to sharing the knowledge they gained with others.
Reflecting on personal growth, Rachana noted that before joining VMC, they had no experience in project writing or computer skills, but now they feel equipped to lead and mentor their peers. Rachana is particularly passionate about not only addressing child marriage but also advocating for LGBTQI+ rights in schools—an often-overlooked issue that is crucial for the well-being of all youth, especially those from indigenous backgrounds versus cultural norms.
Despite their team not making it to the finals, Rachana felt fulfilled by the support and appreciation they received from students who benefited from their knowledge-sharing efforts. They hope that stakeholders, including UNFPA, will continue to support VMC and other youth initiatives.
Mondulkiri has one of the highest rates of early child marriage in Cambodia, as reported in the CDHS data for 2021-2022. In response, UNFPA, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, is rolling out health education/comprehensive sexuality education programs across eight targeted provinces. Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School is a key site for the implementation of CSE, which includes teacher training and the establishment of a school health room implemented by Child Helpline Cambodia to train youth peer educators and facilitate knowledge-sharing through the VMC Programme.
Rachana's story shows how important VMC, and peer educators are in giving young people the information and skills they need to address important issues in their schools and communities. Through their leadership, Rachana are changing their own lives and making a real difference in the lives of others.
