Professional training

Chhouk* is the youngest of five siblings. Her childhood was shaped by family instability following her father’s departure to start a new family and her mother’s unemployment.

Due to financial pressure, Chhouk had no choice but to stop her education and find work to support herself and her family. She first worked selling books and later found a job at an online casino. However, due to border-related issues, she lost her job. Determined not to give up, Chhouk turned to Damnok Toek’s Drop-In Centre (DIC) and together with her mother sought guidance from the Future’s Office (FO) about learning vocational skills.

With the support of the FO team, she was connected to a salon where she began hands-on training. From the start, Chhouk showed remarkable commitment. She approached every lesson with focus, discipline, and enthusiasm. In just a few months, she developed strong technical skills, impressing both her trainer and those around her. For Chhouk, learning was not just about gaining a skill. It was about rebuilding her livelihood.

With her newly acquired skills and support from the FO, Chhouk opened her own small beauty salon in her village. Today, her business is growing steadily and what once felt uncertain has now become a source of pride and independence.

 * : the name has been changed to protect the child’s identity.