Story board of community youth leadership ambassadors

My name is Sokhan Monorkeo, male at birth but I have identified myself as transgender. My current residence is in Prek Roka village, Prek Roka commune, Kandal Stueng district, Kandal province, Cambodia. In 2026, I am a fourth-year student majoring in Law at the Institute of New Khmer.

I came to know about the Community Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) in June 2024. At that time, the program organized a youth camp on housing rights, which was the first activity that strongly captured my interest. I applied to join as a youth participant because I wanted to learn about the program’s activities and challenge myself as a young person from a rural area. After waiting for two weeks, the program contacted me for an online interview and later announced on Facebook that I had been selected to attend the first season of the youth camp. This camp taught me to understand fundamental human rights, including the right to adequate housing, land rights, and safety in living.”

I also learned about the challenges faced by communities, such as land loss, denial of rights, and other forms of injustice. What I gained additionally was the active participation with other young people whom I had never known before. This was an important experience that taught me how to work in a team, listen to others’ ideas, collaborate, and build networks of friendships with youth from different places (both from communities and from various universities). It showed me that I had gained significant personal growth after completing that youth camp activity.

After the youth camp activity, I also received another opportunity to participate in a workshop on human rights and foreign direct investment. These training courses helped me gain a deeper understanding of the various issues faced by poor and vulnerable communities in urban and provinces. This workshop has not only provided me with knowledge but also encouraged me to think critically and develop a deeper awareness of the social problems occurring in today’s society. This was the first step in which I tried and overcame my fear of participating in such activities. Although it was not perfect, this attempt gave me the opportunity to learn many things that were never taught in school.

The greatest change for me, as a transgender youth, came after I received the chance to do a full-time internship at Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organization and serve as one of 20 youth ambassadors representing the Community Youth leadership program-CYLP. I took part in many project activities, such as organizing youth and community education programs on the environment, waste management, training sessions, and encouraging community and youth participation in leading campaigns. Through these activities, I not only demonstrated my leadership abilities but also contributed to driving positive changes in my community. These opportunities also allow young people to build networks and meaningful connections.

What I am most proud of is the greater confidence I have developed in myself, my openness to listening to others, my ability to work in a team, and my capacity to respond to challenges. Moreover, I have strengthened my skills in public speaking. In particular, I have learned how to present ideas and initiatives for action, gained the courage to be independent youth, well prepared and expressed my thoughts in public forums as well as within my group with high confidence.

One important point that I never thought I could achieve was discovering leadership within myself. Through these experiences, I have realized that being young is not only about age, but also about responsibility, commitment, and the desire to see society’s improvement. I now have confidence and self-belief that I can be a role model for youth, inspiring others to dare to make decisions, to participate, and to try volunteer activities that help them discover themselves and develop skills for the future.

Finally, the Community Youth Leadership Program-CYLP has not only been a place of learning and opportunity for me, but also a pathway to discovering myself, understanding others, and connecting with the society around me. I am grateful to have been part of creating positive changes in the community. I believe these experiences will continue to be an important foundation for my future growth. Thank you!!!