PEPY's Youth Empowerment Project (YE) has been a force in developing the soft skills, creative and expressive abilities for low-income, rural Cambodians since 2013. At our Learning Center over 60 new students per year take YE classes where young artists, musicians, thought leaders, & poets are encouraged to begin on their paths to success and culminating in the annual "Our Story" Concert Showcase and Art Exhibit; where budding artists share their talents and inspirations within the community.
Cambodian educational institutions have been vastly under-resourced since the Khmer Rouge atrocities of the 1970s. Although some hard skills training has become more prevalent; soft skills, critical thinking and creativity are non-existent in most local school and development curricula. Teachers generally do not have the capacity or resources to teach these topics. Until priorities change, rural and low-income Khmer students will be left behind. This is why the Youth Empowerment Project exists.
Our Learning Center Youth Empowerment (YE) Project focuses on targeting key skill development areas where, according to local employers, Cambodian youth still do not have enough training and confidence to be competitive for today's job market. The curriculum works in tandem with our English Language instruction and ICT (technology) courses to include projects featuring public speaking, team work, creativity and critical analysis to ensure high school graduates can fulfill their potential.
Every year, the Learning Center team sees 60 students from rural communities, primarily female, develop self-confidence, awareness and stronger economic and professional future outlooks. Because of the new skills and networking capabilities they learn, the YE project impact has led to new youth leadership clubs, sport teams and supportive spaces for women being developed. The impact continues as successful alumni return to mentor current YE students as well as their local high schools youths.
