Project Cambodia 2016 (Siem Reap)

Project Cambodia (Siem Reap) 2016

August 8-21, 2016

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Facebook Page

Executive Summary

Human trafficking addressed as modern-day slavery – it involves the movement of men, women and/or children by means of deception, coercion or threat for the purposes of exploitation. Persons who suffer from many forms of exploitation, although rescued, might never be able to escape the reoccurring trauma in their minds. Governments, organizations, civil societies, and activists around the world are actively involved in the process to end this crime—prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation. That being said, it does not mean that we cannot do anything to ease the pain. Instead, we have to do even more. Simply because we can. Rescue and rehabilitation require a much longer time to take effects and garner results, while prevention is an effort that aims at leaving no one at stake of experiencing the most inhumane, disdainful act of exploitation. Our stand is that prevention is when one does not wait for someone else or other external forces to act on a cause, but when an action is taken because of their own belief in the cause and in their own capacities to do something about it.

Hence, SEALNet Project Cambodia 2016 – Siem Reap (PC16 – SR) envisions to empower the at-risk children of trafficking to become future leaders of their vulnerable communities and strengthen the capacity of youth leaders in contribution to Siem Reap.

Under two pillars of SEALNet—leadership and service, the project aims at two target groups: the local adolescents (mentees) and the at-risk children of human trafficking in Siem Reap.

In the leadership component, we hope to bring together the passionate youth in Siem Reap to underscore their role and spark their interest in the community services and intensively train them with necessary skills to realize their potential and their community-based initiatives.

In the service component, a comprehensive curriculum of human trafficking in the local context is tailored to mentees and the children at risk of human trafficking, so that they gain the capacity to protect not only themselves but also their community.

During this journey, the project members will come to internalize the central theme, ‘The Act of Empowering From Within’.

Community Problem

Cambodia experiences significant internal and cross-border trafficking, and is a country of destination for trafficked persons (UN ACT, 2015). The Global Slavery Index 2015 indicates that Cambodia is ranked 14th in the world for modern slavery. An estimate of 1% Cambodian population is enslaved. Within Cambodia, trafficking victims are predominantly women and girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation, as well as for domestic labor. Around 75% of the victims of sex trafficking within Cambodia were children, and the age of the victims has decreased over the years (ECPAT Cambodia). The situation is made more complicated by the fact that many young girls are not forced into the sex trade by criminals, but by family members.

According to the United Nations Action for Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons, casual factors that contribute to human trafficking patterns within Cambodia and beyond its borders, and make populations vulnerable to traffickers, include uneven economic development; discrimination and gender inequality; and increased tourism.

The annual report of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism indicates that in the first nine months of 2015, a massive number of 1.5 million visitors have come to Siem Reap. The downtown city has attracted a lot of attention from foreign tourists. The tourism sector is one of the biggest contributors to the economic development of Cambodia, but this also causes a downside effect for the children living in high-tourism areas. Predators who exploit children often seek tourist-related services that offer lodging, transport, anonymity, and access to children (UNODC, 2012).

We believe that everyone deserves to hope for better education and deserves to live a better life. We believe that no one should be deprived of the right to life after they are rescued from death. We believe that no one should be experiencing the worst form of human exploitation. Above all, we believe that everyone is capable of realizing their potentials and leading a better future.

We are on a mission of bringing the potential out from within.

Objectives

For the at-risk children:

1. Provide educational, social and emotional support and equip with technical skills to prevent human trafficking.
2. Develop a strong sense of sympathy and internalize the importance of reintegration and discrimination towards trafficking survivors.
3. Develop a leadership and community engagement mindset.

For the project mentees:

1. Enhance the awareness of the local situation of human trafficking, its risks and preventions of themselves and others from the traffickers.
2. Better leverage the situation through empowerment about their social responsibilities and strengths.
3. Gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills to implement basic initiatives.

For the project members:

1. Identify their weaknesses and strengths and learn from people from different backgrounds.
2. Critically question their role in the communities and to be empowered to contribute more to their communities.
3. Establish a strong and meaningful connection with every project member.

Approach

Leadership Component

– Method: The project will place a great emphasis on ‘Personal, Professional Development’

On a personal level, project members will be placed in a setting to express and explore themselves. In addition, project members will be able to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves for personal growth. The diversity of members from different backgrounds will (1) re-shape the way each participant sees the world and their role in shaping it and (2) foster special bonds of friendship.

On a professional level, project members will be divided into functional subgroups in order to practice their expertise and advance the project vision. A mentor-mentee framework also puts each participant in a closer-bonded relationship to strengthen the capacities in terms of project management and implementation. In an interactive learning group of friends and a supportive network of colleagues, each project member is empowered to see him/her as a future leader.

All that being said, the overarching goal of the leadership component is to unleash the full potential of each participant.

Service Component

– Method: The project will lay emphasis on ‘Expertise’ and ‘Community Intervention Strategies’.

Prior to the on-ground duration, project members will be asked to conduct research on ‘Human Trafficking’ in their location. This is the stage to get familiar with the project’s awareness and be able to understand the survivors’ condition. After primary research, project members will be asked to write a reflection upon situational encounter relating the ‘Human Trafficking’. Also, project members are to familiarize themselves with Cambodian culture, in order to be culturally sensitive to the differences. Obtaining the fundamental knowledge regarding the issue of ‘Human Trafficking’ will benefit the members to see the issue in a different light or with more nuances, which often escape the public eyes.

This stage sets a foundation for a more in-depth training opportunity facilitated by local experts who are experienced in the field. It also enables the members to come up with well-designed, community-oriented activities for the mentees and the target group of at-risk children aged 12–19.

The goal of the service component is to enhance the awareness and community intervention strategies of project members as they engage with the issue of human trafficking in Siem Reap.

What we are looking for in the Applicants

• Enthusiastic and devoted to the project’s goals.
• Strong interest in the learning process in becoming future leaders.
• Ensure the balance between project and personal commitment.
• Accept supervision and adjust to changes in work priorities and respect the deadline.
• Accept the diversity in cultural differences and willing to learn from one another.
• Ready to engage with the community of children/teens.
• Willingness to play a strong part in the planning, execution, and sustainability of the project. Take initiative!
• Willingness to play a strong part in the planning, execution, and sustainability of the project. Take initiative!
• Willingness to learn about Human Trafficking.
• Willingness to form a close relationship with their mentees through the mentorship.
• Willingness to learn through fundraising methods.
• Have fun!

Qualification Needed

• Ability to work remotely (online) from April and present on the ground in the project duration.
• Ability to work well and melt in the team
• High commitment and a strong passion
• Great attention to details
• Logical thinking and creative problem-solving ability
• Priority given to the project
• An open mind and an honest heart that are keen to connect with other people.

Project Leaders

• Sourn Ketekoun (Cambodia) – Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia’ 16 | sournketekoun@nullymail.com
• Do Thu Van (Vietnam) – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU’ 17 | vando95@nullgmail.com