Alice's Birthday Empowers Cambodian Women

Many women in rural Cambodian villages have no idea about their monthly cycle and how it relates to fertility, no awareness of the risk of human-trafficking to their daughters and no access to sanitary products. But together, we can help change that! I wanted to use my birthday as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the incredible work of Asian Outreach Cambodia’s Women’s Empowerment Groups. These educational sessions enlighten women with new information – the kind that we take for granted learning as kids. As a result, they can make better choices for their families and pass on knowledge to the next generation.

Most women in rural Cambodian villages have very limited access to the internet and health professionals. They're hearing about topics like hygiene, pregnancy, puberty, domestic violence and human trafficking for the first time, from Asian Outreach Cambodia staff. Similar sessions are also run in rural schools for girls aged 11-12 years, preparing them for the changes happening to their bodies. During both courses, the women and girls receive kits which contain knickers (a luxury item) and reusable sanitary pads. These products offer them greater freedom, physically and financially. Some teenage girls skip school for a week each month because they don’t have suitable sanitary products. And the women who do buy disposable products, have the environmental issue of rubbish to deal with. These kits are the perfect solution!

I hope you’ll join with me on my birthday in supporting the amazing work God is doing through Asian Outreach to empower Cambodian women and their families with education.