Heng Sreynen, a 13-year-old sixth-grade student and the president of both the Student Council and Learning Club, is actively involved in organizing various initiatives and awareness campaigns to promote environmental sustainability in her school and community.

Sreynen is the youngest among her five siblings. She lives in Kampong Uor Village, Khon Rang Commune, Baribo District, Kampong Chhnang Province, with her mother, Ms. Phan Saron. Sadly, her father passed away when she was very young, making it difficult for the family to make a living.

The village is home to many relocated fishermen who once lived floating houses to land. During the rainy season, rising water levels make it challenging to cultivate gardens and plant trees. Additionally, a lack of awareness about environmental issues among locals has resulted in scattered trash, improper waste management, and a lack of greenery.

In July 2022, with funding from Save the Children Norway, Save the Children Cambodia worked in collaboration with local authorities and schools to implement the Green Generation project. The project aimed to train 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade teachers in modern teaching methods such as collaborative learning, project-based learning, and original research. The training also covered a total of six environmental lessons, including why nature matters, our forests, wildlife, deforestation, water pollution, and waste and litter.

As president of the Student Council, Sreynen actively participated in the project and took a leadership role in implementing environmental initiatives in the school and community. With support from her teacher, she led clean-up activities, organized waste collection, and initiated tree-planting campaigns to combat the challenges of climate change.

Sreynen and her friends have adopted effective ways to reduce their plastic usage, bringing reusable bottles to school and seeking alternatives like banana leaf packaging to both benefit the environment and save money in the long run.

"I love the natural environment so much, I will try to take care of the environment of my school and my house well," Sreynen said.

To effectively protect the environment and her village, Sreynen established and led monthly environmental clubs, engaging students and the community, and organized awareness-raising exhibitions. Her efforts have resulted in positive changes, with increased awareness and participation in environmental activities in the school and the broader community.

Nevertheless, Sreynen and her peers still encounters challenges due to a lack of funding for regular awareness-raising activities about environmental protection, and the limited availability of recycling facilities in her community.

Mr. Rim Chanthy, Sreynen's teacher, recognizes her strong commitment to environmental restoration and envisions her as an environmental influencer contributing greatly to the community. "Sreynen shows a strong commitment to environmental restoration and is skilled in leading relevant activities to preserve the environment," he said.

Mr. Yam That, the Village Chief and Chief of the School Management Committee, pledges support for ongoing cleanliness and green initiatives. "I will join to run campaigns and raise awareness about proper waste disposal. I also want to see a clean and green school," he said.

Interviewed by: Bun Heng, Project Officer
Written by: Taing Vida, Communications and Campaign Manager
Proofread by: Chin Kethya, Donor Reporting Specialist
Photography: Yous Ratha, Communications Officer