Knowledge is power. This phrase, is a fairly common conception in western states. Education is a staple in our society and it is implicit that education gives youth the necessary knowledge to direct their lives.

 

This is not the case in many developing states, such as Cambodia. The literacy rates are astonishing, with 47.6% of men and only 29.1% of women currently able to read.

 

Koh Kong, a province in southwest Cambodia, is the most underdeveloped part of the country. It also has one of the worst track records for youth education, especially for girls. Adolescent girls are an increasingly marginalized group, with only 32% having completed grade six, compared to 67% of boys. The education of young women is seen as less important due to their lower status within the community. Their self worth has been greatly diminished by this sex-based discrimination and they are increasingly being pulled into the sex trafficking, an ever expanding Cambodian entertainment industry.

 

Literacy and Livelihoods Empowering Adolescents for Development initiative, LEAD, is a 2007 CARE initiative that addresses the needs of marginalized youth in Koh Kong by providing a basic, informal education. 

 

Literacy has been found to correspond directly to knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS. This sexually transmitted disease has great influence in Cambodia due to the prevailing sex trade, in which 54% of sex workers are currently infected. Unfortunately, only 17.6% of women know how to prevent the transmission of this deadly disease. LEAD will address this dilemma by focusing a lot of attention on HIV/AIDS awareness. 

 

LEAD also focuses on empowering the marginalized youth of Koh Kong by getting them involved in their education. The classes will be mostly attended by girls that are no longer in formal education and by those in the sex trade. The basic life skills teaching will encourage girls to take an active role in controlling their lives, including taking economic initiative, and thus diminishing their dependency and perceived inferiority within the community. 

 

Knowledge may be power, but to these currently marginalized youth, education is also hope. Hope for better understanding, hope for an enhanced standard of living, and hope for the future.  

 

As one female karaoke worker states: “I don’t have dreams as I have no education.”

 

You can help LEAD provide that hope and give life to those dreams. Please donate now.