The role of education in fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation cannot be understated. Education is a vital component in combatting the poverty and lack of opportunities that lead to the vulnerable and desperate state of many trafficking victims. Further, education fosters long term sustainable development for Cambodia—it allows future generations to protect their families and communities from becoming victims and falling into precarious means of income. Education opens women and girls in Cambodia to other livelihoods beyond sex work, thus AFESIP makes education a priority and key investment for our beneficiaries. Somaly House offers English and Khmer classes and library services to both its residents and to children from the nearby community.
Village children attend English class Parents register their children for English Class
Teaching English to the children at Somaly House can make a real impact on the lives of the students, many whom are also children from nearby villages. Somaly House is open to local children whose families do not have the means to pay for private school. They are able to attend classes at Somaly House if a parent or guardian registers them at Somaly House office and can demonstrate financial need.
Somaly House is located 67 kilometers outside of Phnom Penh in Kompong Cham province. Much of the province is rural and lacks quality infrastructure—electricity is accessed through a private company at costs twice as high as a major city, and regularly cuts off at 9:00 pm. These conditions make it difficult to recruit and retain staff. But recently, Somaly House was fortunate enough to hire two part-time trainers from the nearby secondary school to teach English and computer skills to the children at the center. AFESIP is confident in their ability to challenge the students and help them continue to build on their language skills. Since early January 2012, Somaly House has provided hour long English classes to 169 village children.
