In the quiet town of Kampot province, which is a multicultural city and an attractive tourist destination, Sinorn, a devoted father of two young children- a daughter and a son, found himself facing a challenge that resonated not only with his role as a parent but also with his responsibility as the chairperson of the Kampot Provincial Education Working Group (PESWG). As a father deeply committed to the well-being of his children, understood the intrinsic connection between health and education. His concern arose when he witnessed both of his kids facing health issues due to the consumption of unhealthy foods at their public school – sugary drinks, junk foods, and unhygienic meals.
“It may take time when it comes to advocacy, but every determined stroke brings us closer to a brighter, healthier future for our children.”
Their health suffered visibly, marked by frequent illnesses and dental problems. Despite his sincere efforts to guide them, the irresistible appeal of these foods goes on, causing frustration and concern. He, empathizing with another parent grappling with the same issue, realized that if no one took a stand, the health of millions of students could be jeopardized, casting a dark shadow on the quality of education. Motivated by a father’s love and a sense of responsibility for the broader community, he decided that action was necessary.
As the chairperson of PESWG, he convened the group, consisting of 15 non-government organizations dedicated to education. Together, they delved into brainstorming sessions, seeking solutions to the issue of unhealthy school foods. Despite their initial attempts to address the problem by advocating directly with education policymakers, they faced a daunting challenge. The decision-makers were unwilling to acknowledge the detrimental impact of unhealthy foods on students’ well-being.
Undeterred by this setback, the Chairman and the PESWG members embarked on a journey of research and data collection. They understood the importance of presenting irrefutable evidence to support their cause. Hours turned into days as they conducted comprehensive research on school health, gathering samples from public primary schools in Kampot and compiling invaluable data.
The research, an exhaustive exploration of school health, yielded compelling evidence. With this research paper, he and the PESWG members returned to the decision-makers, determined to make them understand the gravity of the situation. The facts and figures laid bare the health risks posed by unhealthy foods in schools. The turning point came when the provincial Office of Education, Youth, and Sport acknowledged the severity of the issue. They issued a memo and strict instructions to ban the sale of unhealthy food such as energy drink or high sugar products within school premises.
Through the work of Sinorn and his P-ESWG team, some schools in Kampot province have taken better action toward unsafe and unhealthy food control in and around school campus where vendors decided to sell homemade snack including various Cambodian rice cakes. This small action has served as an inspiration to parents, educators, and advocates alike — a testament to the transformative power of resilience and advocacy in the face of challenges where it is believed a thousand journey begins with one step.
As Sinorn’s story unfolded, it resonated with the mission of NGO Education Partnership Cambodia. We are actively engaged in implementing the Project: Promoting access to quality and inclusive education for all through public advocacy campaigns. Through this project, the NEP seeks to support Cambodian civil society advocacy efforts, fostering inclusive and high-quality education. Our initiatives include capacity development, mobilizing collective action, promoting democratic processes, and conducting advocacy campaigns.
