Rising Above

Kampong Pang village sits tucked away in a remote area in Stung Treng province, a quiet village where life revolves around the steady rhythms of rice farming and crop cultivation. But behind closed doors, hidden from the eyes of neighbors, 21-year-old An Pheary was fighting a silent, exhausting battle.

Before connecting with PNKS and the Somleng Prey Lang project, Pheary lived isolated within her own home, overwhelmed by mental health struggles and enduring daily domestic violence. Believing she lacked worth and fearing that others in her community would mock or be annoyed by her, she rarely ventured outside. Without warmth or encouragement in her family, she felt entirely hopeless about her future.

Everything began to shift in June 2021 when project staff from PNKS visited her village to mobilize local youth and vegetable farmers. Shortly after, a local savings group was formed; Pheary decided to take a cautious step forward by joining as a SKYE youth group member.

Photo: PNKS / Somleng Prey Lang Team

"At first, I did not really dare to express my opinions because I was afraid and nervous. However, when the teachers smiled and encouraged me, I stopped feeling as scared as before. When the group asked me questions, I use to worry that I would answer incorrectly and that people would mock me. But it was not at all like I thought...there was only support and encouragement for me"

An Pheary, SKYE Youth group member

Surrounded by a supportive network instead of judgement, Pheary's confidence soared. The defining turning point came when she was invited to attend a facilitation skills training course in Siem Reap. She realized her voice mattered, and she immediately put her new skills into action, both in her community and inside her own home.

Pheary transformed into a fierce advocate for her village. She began sharing lessons with other youth, facilitating a community latrine construction project and mobilizing peers to join the SKYE club.

She didn't stop there. Her most profound transformation, however, was using her newfound courage to protect others facing the domestic violence she knew all too well.

When a young woman in the community suffered daily domestic abuse from her husband, Pheary intervened directly. Visiting their home repeatedly, Pheary engaged with the husband to understand the root causes of his anger, which were jealousy, possessiveness, and financial stress.

"I explained about the negative impacts of domestic violence. How it harms the family economy and affects the mental and emotional well-being of the children. How it would deprive the family of warmth and set a bad example for the next generation."

An Pheary, SKYE youth member

Her persistent counseling worked. By October 2025, the violence had stopped completely, bringing peace and understanding into the young woman's household.

Looking toward her own future, Pheary attended an annual review program in late 2025 where she learned about vocational training opportunities. Spotting an open gap in her community and driven by her passion for beauty care, she registered at the Stung Treng provincial Vocational Center (TVET) to study beauty skills.

Starting her courses in February 2026, supported by stipends from TVET and Child Helpline Cambodia, Pheary is on track to graduate in July 2026 with a clear career path to support her family financially.

An Pheary's journey stands as a powerful testimony to what happens when an individual is given the encouragement to recognize their self-worth: she not only changed the course of her own life, but she lifted an entire community with her.