The 3rd day of the AYN Internship Program allowed us to visit one of the YCC provincial office and meet their brilliant youth volunteers. We were able to talk to them and listen to their stories with regards to the different problems and challenges they experienced in working with the commune councils and leaders. But they also shared their success stories which is very important for us to understand the development of their work. One of these success stories was when they petitioned to the commune councils the dilapidated roads which later on the councils decided to act on. Through their efforts and initiatives a local actions towards the improvement of the community was made. This prove the importance of local actions and initiatives.
However part of challenges that these youth local leaders and volunteers are facing are due to the low understanding of the government officials on the need and the purpose why they need to include the youth in their decision making process. Government officials believe that the youth do not understand the processes and are not serious enough to be involve on such important processes. Hence the Government officials also look at the youth as a threat to them since they always raised various concerns that shaken their stability and questions the legitimacy of their authority. Such approach also became a learning lesson for the youth leaders and volunteers to become more proactive on their approach when they work with the government agencies and the commune leaders.
The interns were also given the opportunity to teach English to one local schools, such experienced was so enlightening because we were able to see the current status of the education in Kandal Province and maybe in Cambodia in General. The classrooms were very small to fit 30 students and at the same time it was raining that day and since the walls were not that thick enough it was very noisy and it was so difficult to hear each other.
After that one of the youth volunteer invited us to sleep in their place. The place is very simple but not new to most of us. It was indeed a very nice experienced since we were able to experienced a glimpse of the day to day living of the Cambodian people especially the people who were leaving in the province.
Visiting one of YCC provincial office was actually very important, because we were able to witness first hand their activities. It also gave us some idea how their local consultation were made and their level of understanding on youth involvement and participation. We also learned some ways and new things that we can use in our own works.
After that visit we went back to Phnom Penh to also witness the project development training of the YCC Volunteers in Phnom Penh at YCC office. They presented all their project proposal where we give our comments to improve the proposal and help them remember important factors and things to remember in project development. Language is one of the barriers but we still able to continue with the help of the volunteer interpreter.
After witnessing the project development workshop for YCC volunteers , we joined the party organized by the participants of the Youth Challenge Program of YCC. We were able to witness the Cambodian definition of party. This is also a great opportunity for us to mingle and to meet different people and young leaders. It was also a new experience for us since the food and the way they cook the food and the do the party was actually very unique from my culture and the culture of my Sri Lankan colleague.
Rior Santos (Mr)
Asian Youth Network Coordinator for 2008
Networking and Advocacy Coordinator
Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly Philippines
Please see other pictures in the blog album hosted by picasa.... Album name: Day 4 Kandal Visit
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