Smiling Gecko Educational Campus
At some point, it clicks – a sports club just for girls
The two have been part of our team since the beginning of the school year and have already done an incredible job, particularly in encouraging and empowering our female students. We are very enthusiastic about their work and would like to introduce this project to you here.
But let‘s start by introducing the two of them. Soriya is an American with Cambodian roots who has been living in Cambodia since 2023. She initially worked as an English teacher at a public school in Kampong Cham province, but has since joined us as a physical education teacher. She is supported by Makara, who is one of the best volleyball players in Cambodia, a country crazy about volleyball. She plays for the national team and represented Cambodia at the 2023 Asian Games. It is worth noting that this team was the first to compete internationally since the 1970s, making Makara a true pioneer. And pioneering work is exactly what the two of them are now doing here on our campus.
The idea for the club emerged during regular physical education classes. Whenever volleyball or football was played, the girls would sit down and leave the field to their male classmates. Many were shy, often physically at a disadvantage, and like many girls aged 12 to 15 in Cambodia reluctant to risk embarrassment in front of boys. That day, only the boys played. But for Soriya and Makara, the message was clear: there was a need for a programme specifically designed for girls. This is especially important because girls in the country have a much harder time than boys and have virtually no opportunities to escape their extremely demanding everyday lives outside of school.
Sport can be one such opportunity and the fact that the volleyball and football training is led by two women only strengthens its impact. At least, that is Soriya‘s opinion, which we are happy to agree with. ‘We are two women running a club like this. The girls see that and hopefully at some point it will “click” for them and they will understand that they can do it too.’ The development of female self-esteem may begin with a successful smash or block on the volleyball court, but so much more is created in the interaction between the girls and their two teachers.
