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An Empowered Woman in Social Works

Ms. Ann Sopheap, 40, is a poor widow living in Siha village, Bati district, Takeo province. A mother of three children, Sopheap confined herself at household chores and farming to feed their children. She had little interaction with the community and shrank in expressing idea and

appearance in community activities as she thought she was just a widow woman with low education that could not take part in the society to solve any issue.

In 2009, when the Women Empowerment and Holistic Community Development project started in the village, Sopheap was identified and became a member of “Strei Soksan” self-help group (SHG), a woman group of 25 families. Like other SHG participants, she attended the Cornerstones training that motivated her to think broader and see more important role of women taking part in social development. Moreover, the project has gradually built her capacity and self-confidence through non-technical trainings in group management, facilitation skills and advocacy, and technical trainings in bookkeeping management, animal husbandry, farming techniques, and small business management. She was elected by the SHG members and became an active group treasurer actively participating in SHG activities and community affairs. Later on she was selected as a Literacy Facilitator, after a successful interview, to provide numeric and literacy skills to the women in the group. With deep understanding on the Cornerstones and its internalization, Sopheap has educated people about the 12 Cornerstones values which can be not only practiced in daily file, but also reflected in health, environment, economy and society.

“Since joining the project, I am more confident in doing not only SHG activities, but also social works. The women in the group trust me in bringing their voice to the society,” said Ann Sopheap. “I am satisfied with my works. I would like to express my deep thank to Heifer in partnership with Peace Development Aid Organization (PDAO) for giving me the opportunity to work for progress of my community as well as my society.”

Because of her good leadership role in the group, Sopheap was selected by the local authorities as a Commune Council member in charge of children’s and women’s affairs. She plays important role in extension works and education on children and women to understand about hygiene, domestic violence prevention, HIV/AIDS, migration, and human trafficking.

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