How one determined girl, and the right support at the right time, transformed vulnerability into leadership.
At seventeen, Diana has already learned to carry more than most girls her age. Born and raised in Phnom Penh, she is a grade 12 student and the middle child in a family of three. Her parents’ income is unstable, debts are mounting, and every month the family must find $300 for rent before they can think about food, healthcare, or school fees. For Diana, the cost of extra classes has always weighed heavily on her mind.
“I worry so much about my studies because extra classes are expensive,” she says. “My parents don’t have a stable job, yet we still have to pay $300 a month for rent, plus food and healthcare.”
In a situation like Diana’s, poverty is not just about money, it is about risk. Without consistent support, girls are far more vulnerable to dropping out of school and to exploitation. That is where AusCam’s mission begins: to protect girls who are at high risk, and to give them a genuine chance to build a different future.
Diana saw a way forward. In 2020, as she entered grade 7, she applied for an AusCam scholarship, following in the footsteps of her older sister, who had already enrolled as a scholarship recipient. Diana was not looking for a handout. She wanted the study materials, skills, and support she needed to grow.
What she received went well beyond school fees. “AusCam helps me with my extra class fees, rice, emotional support, and opportunities to attend workshops and events,” she says. “I’ve changed a lot since I started.”
The change is measurable. Diana now attends class more regularly, studies harder, and her grades have improved. She dreams of becoming a flight attendant, drawn to travel, new languages, and the chance to meet people from around the world.
She is also giving back. Today, Diana and her sister teach Chinese to children, earning an income that supports the family while her parents search for work. “I’m grateful to AusCam because they’ve helped me focus on my studies and keep going,” she says.
Her growth has been nurtured by consistent, personal care. AusCam’s social worker meets with Diana regularly, not only to check her academic progress, but to make sure she is emotionally supported through the pressures of adolescence and family responsibility. “When I’m upset or overthinking, I think about my case manager,” she says. “I trust them. They give me a safe space to share what I’m going through.”
Supported by more than emergency aid, Diana has taken part in workshops and a campaign incubator, where she learned how to design and launch her own community campaign. “It was my first time creating a campaign,” she recalls. “I was very young, about 15, and my team chose me to lead the group.”
That experience led to the founding of Power of The Girl, a Facebook community that now reaches around 5,000 followers. Its purpose is clear: to help girls recognise online sexual exploitation, understand its root causes, and learn how to stay safe. “I’m proud of helping girls stay aware,” Diana says.
The transformation in Diana is unmistakable. “I’ve seen real changes in myself,” she says. “I’m more confident, active, and capable in leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.” Now she is determined to finish high school with strong results, earn a university scholarship, and go further still. “I really thank AusCam for bringing me closer to my dream,” she says.
The transformation in Diana is unmistakable. “I’ve seen real changes in myself,” she says. “I’m more confident, active, and capable in leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.” Now she is determined to finish high school with strong results, earn a university scholarship, and go further still. “I really thank AusCam for bringing me closer to my dream,” she says.
The change on this page is made possible by supporters like you. Because of you, girls like Diana are not only staying in school, they are leading their communities. To stand with the next girl, visit: https://auscamfreedomproject.org/support-to-auscam/ today.
