Meet with Thuen Soknov

I know PNKS through a team leader of the CIDG who offered me the opportunity as youth volunteering in my community. This work touches my interest as I always dream to work for my community. I gave myself a chance by accepting this opportunity. One step moving from volunteering to a new role as an administrator with the community initiative for development group (CIDG). I was elected by the group members to play this role. I was so excited. Since then, I actively participated in community activities supporting by PNKS, whenever possible.

I used to be a youth living in this commune without role and responsibility, unemployed. When I was young, I used to suffer from domestic violence in my family which affected my mental health. I isolated myself from others. I did not like meeting people because I did not feel confident to see them. I did not have any friends and I was wordless. I felt lonely, hopeless and lack of support from my family. Moreover, I am a single mother of a 5-year-old son.

I proud of myself that I overcome my past situation. I am seen as an equal in the society. This change not only benefits me, but also my son because I want to show him love and that I am a strong mom. In addition, I am able to help my community and other youth as a facilitator in monthly meeting and other trainings.

I become a new person, living with hope and a smiling face when I join in a team with CIDG. I can see that I am brave and confident to talk or meet with new people. I became a strong woman now, and I learn a lot from my team (CIDG) as well as PNKS staff. I have a new life.

PNKS project gives me mental support, knowledge and experience through trainings, meetings. Besides, PNKS staff always visit me and motivate me to try something new and that I could facilitate training for my community people.​ PNKS project makes people doing something important for themselves in addition to providing livelihood support, like growing vegetable, raising frogs, chicken...Better relationship makes people live happy. I think if we did not get involved with PNKS project we might not grow.

I have noted that youth capacity is increasing. Some of them can think out of the box and strong. People in the community have good relationship and supportive.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, PNKS and your supporters for your charity work in my community and I hope to see youth in my community grow to be better persons in society as a whole.