Voeun Kong is a dedicated social worker at Helping Hands Cambodia. She plays a vital role in supporting students' well-being and creating a positive, and inclusive learning environment. Her work focuses not only on academic challenges but also on family-related issues that impact students’ ability to succeed in school. Collaborating closely with teachers, Kong identifies students and families in need, then visits them in their homes to understand their challenges and explore ways she and Helping Hands Cambodia can provide meaningful support.
Responsibilities & Challenges
Each case she handles is unique. Kong’s support often includes working with the school to address learning difficulties, guiding, and educating parents to become more involved in their children’s education, and helping families in financial hardship. The assistance can take many forms-from providing bicycles and school supplies to offering food and clothing to ensure students can attend school regularly and comfortably. The most frequent issues she encounters are poor attendance and learning difficulties caused by poverty, both of which hinder students’ academic progress.
However, her role comes with significant challenges. One of the hardest parts is seeing families facing extreme poverty—situations that go beyond the help she is able to provide. At times, this leaves her feeling powerless and wishing she could do more. She also encounters resistance from some families who are hesitant to accept support or advice from teachers, making it difficult to create the positive changes needed for a better learning environment. This reluctance may stem from parents’ lack of experience in working with school staff, as well as deep-rooted cultural issues such as mistrust and fear within certain communities.
Kong’s inspiring personal journey
She is a former student of Helping Hands Cambodia and was given the opportunity to pursue higher education through a scholarship sponsored by a volunteer, Aline. While studying at university, she also served as a contracted teacher at Prasat Cha Primary School. Upon graduation, Helping Hands Cambodia offered her a role that would allow her to return to her roots and give back to the community that once supported her. For Kong, this work is deeply personal, as helping the children of her village reminds her of her own struggles and determination as a young student seeking a better future.
Looking Ahead
Kong hopes to see Helping Hands Cambodia introduce new initiatives that focus not only on academic support and curriculum development but also on student health and sanitation. She firmly believes that a healthy student is a successful student and that access to basic health services is key to unlocking their full potential. Through her compassion, dedication, and lived experience, Kong continues to be a source of inspiration and a powerful advocate for the children and families she serves.
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