Keo Sovann – Empowering Women for Life

Miss. Keo Sovann is 27 years old and lives in the Domnak Chen village, Reaksmey commune, Rovieng district, Preah Vihear province.  She was only able to finished grade 9 because her family is very poor limiting her ability to go on to study higher grades.  After giving up her studies, she tried to find a job but she could not because of her limited skills and experience. Later she decided to start a small business out of her home to help support the basic needs of her parents, who were by this time quite old, and to also support many other members of the family. In 2002, ADRA Cambodia, supported by ADRA Australia and AusAID, came to work in Sovann’s district of Rovieng.  Of the 12 communes in the district, ADRA chose to work in 5 communes including Reaksmey where she lives.  ADRA partnered with the community in establishing a Women’s Empowerment Association (WEA) in each commune and due to her commitment and reputation for hard work, Sovann was chosen to be one of the WEA facilitators.  She participated in Macro Credit system training and also attended more general training in community development and empowerment training conducted by ADRA Cambodia to give the WEA leaders/facilitators the vision and skills to make a difference in their communities.

In 2003, because of her good responsibility and quality work performance, the WEA chose Savann to be the Association manager for her commune. During that year Sovann and the other WEA facilitators were able to expand the services of their Association from micro credit to also include village animal health services after being trained by ADRA in key basic skills that are critical to the livelihoods of so many association and community members.  As well, the association expanded services in teaching literacy for community women.  Sovann and the other WEA facilitators were empowered to teach using informal participatory teaching methods, particularly the REFLECT methodology which allows facilitators like Sovann to learn with her community rather than to be limited to her own knowledge from external sources.  She also gained skills in management through monitoring and evaluating the progress and results of her Association so that adjustments could be made where needed.

In 2005 Sovann was elected to be the Vice-Chair of the Rovieng Women’s Association Federation, a new body drawing representatives from all the Associations to ensure high Association standards and assisting with management and problem solving.  The Federation of Associations also has become linked to national networks of community finance institutions due to their strong services in community micro finance.

At the end of 2005, ADRA phased out its direct support to the WEA where Sovann lives.  ADRA lets the women association run on its own and due to the skills and systems in place Sovann was able to continue the beneficial activities and support of her community through the WEA.  Her association continues to strengthen and be a role model to other Associations and strongly supported the Federation in their district.

In November 2006, because of her achievement, ability and community commitment Sovann was chosen by ADRA to expand the benefits of her experience through becoming a community facilitator in the new ADRA AusAID HARVEST project.  Sovann expressed that she is determines to commit herself to use all her strength, knowledge, and experience to work with ADRA Cambodia to develop the communities in her district to be empowered to have a better future – while keeping an eye on her home village WEA to make sure all is going well!!.  Sovann stated that she is appreciative and proud of all that she has learned and been able to do through ADRA and is now committed to making a difference in the lives of other!

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