Amidst the constraints of cultural expectations, Sovanna rises as a symbol of empowerment, courageously embracing her journey with AusCam to challenge societal norms and advocate for change. Sovanna embodies empowerment by bravely embracing her journey with AusCam, challenging cultural norms and advocating for change.
Her story reflects the impact of resilience and the transformative power of support, as she has overcome personal struggles and has become a catalyst for hope and inspiration within her community.
Sovanna is an active campaigner, or Change Agent, who helps young women to become aware of the risks of OCSE and the ways they can be safe. She studies at grade 11 at Chamroeun Phal high school in Phnom Penh.
She first heard about AusCam from a friend who received an educational scholarship fromAusCam. Over the past two years, she participated in a campaign incubator workshop and started “Power of The Girls” , (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088285862090) a campaign group that raises awareness about online child sexual exploitation among her classmates and online through a dedicated FaceBook page. She continues her journey with AusCam through Glow Club class to learn about soft skills, citizenship projects,t reproductive health and computer courses.
“My journey with AusCam is not over after I finish my campaigning. I see a good opportunity for growth here, and I want to continue learning.” she said.
A Commitment to Learning
Sovanna began her action learning journey through AusCam’s partnership with the Global University of Lifelong Learning (GULL). Through action learning, coaching, personal development and social impact initiatives, she is able to earn a certificate, a diploma and even a degree as she develops personality and contributes to society. Sovan set her personal goal to improve her communication with her parents and to step out of her comfort zone to become a resilient young woman.
“I felt excited when I heard about workshops on soft skills or technology, but my parents were not supportive,” she shares. “They want me to focus solely on academics. They think the outside world is unsafe for me as a girl under 18.”
Despite her parents’ strictness, Sovanna’s goal is to improve her communication with her parents, and to help them see her wider potential. She knows that they love and care for her, but her experience as a campaigner and Change Agent with AusCam has created a confidence and experience that she wants them to see in her. She wants to bridge the gap between their strict expectations from their love of her, and her ambitions. “I wanted to show them that I could take on responsibilities and grow,” she explained.
“Often, when I need to meet my campaigner friends, I ask my sister to accompany me. She supports my journey to learn soft skills or volunteer and she believes in me,” she added. As she is encouraged by her sister, her impact as a role model and a courageous leader is something that has amazing potential.
To build better relationships with her parents, Sovanna sought guidance from friends, her sister, and various learning resources, including reading and YouTube. She conducts weekly reflections and meets monthly with an AusCam coach to enhance her motivation and identify her strengths.
Driving Social Impact
Sovanna leveraged what she learned to create social impact in her community. She organized webinars and in-person events to raise awareness about online child sexual exploitation.
“I conducted a workshop at a local high school, and although there were only 30 participants, I felt immense pride in receiving positive feedback. My parents began to notice the significance of my work,” she said.
From July 2024 to April 2025, Sovanna planned a series of online sessions on the topic, offering certificates to participants. She honed her skills in Canva to design posters, presentation slides, and certificates to promote her webinars.
One of her most daunting challenges is that most of the participants are university students, older and more experienced than she is. The critical feedback she received initially shook her confidence and impacted her team’s feelings. However, she sought support from AusCam’s team during the Q&A session, which turned out to be a success. “I felt cool and flexible, able to find solutions. I’m not afraid of problems anymore,” she realized.
Reflecting on Growth
Reflecting on her journey with GULL, Sovanna expressed happiness. “I never thought I could overcome my struggles, especially in a very hierarchical culture,” she said. The support she received through AusCam not only helped her grow but also inspired her to help others.
When her school assigned group presentations, her friends encouraged her to lead because they saw her ability. Drawing from her campaign experiences, Sovanna facilitated discussions, overcoming the challenges of group dynamics. “It wasn’t always smooth, but I always motivated my team and we found solutions together when we faced the problem,” she recalled.
Looking Ahead
As she looks toward the future, Sovanna envisioned further growth through GULL’s leadership diploma program and joining the Digital Influencer program, which focuses on communication skills like photography, filming, and storytelling.
“AusCam is a safe place for me where I can find myself and learn new skills that are important for my life. These two years of volunteering at AusCam have made me feel so proud of myself, and I will continue my work to help others stay safe from online exploitation and growth like I have,” she said.