ISF Cambodia uses football to break away from cycle of poverty
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By Alexandra Flores and Ros Dumlao | For Laureus Sport for Good
Kanha moved with her four siblings from a rural village in the Prey Veng Province to the capital Phnom Penh, in Cambodia, hoping for better opportunities to provide for their family.
Many families in Cambodia, like Kanha’s, are trapped in a cycle of poverty where children often forgo education to seek income through various means, such as scavenging.
According to the World Bank, Cambodian children compelled by poverty into labour not only miss school but also the chance to build foundational skills. By prioritising income over education, these children limit their future potential and remain trapped in poverty.
However, when Kanha came across Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF) Cambodia, she found a way to break away from that cycle and build a more sustainable future for her and her family.
ISF Cambodia's education, football, and community programs work together to break the cycle of poverty. Education and football build a foundation for learning, while community projects address immediate family needs, creating a pathway to a better future for young people.
Kanha started with the education programme, catching up on subjects so that she can enroll in a state-supported school. She made friends along the way, who motivated her to try something new.
According to the World Bank, Cambodian children compelled by poverty into labour not only miss school but also the chance to build foundational skills. By prioritising income over education, these children limit their future potential and remain trapped in poverty.
However, when Kanha came across Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF) Cambodia, she found a way to break away from that cycle and build a more sustainable future for her and her family.
ISF Cambodia's education, football, and community programs work together to break the cycle of poverty. Education and football build a foundation for learning, while community projects address immediate family needs, creating a pathway to a better future for young people.
Kanha started with the education programme, catching up on subjects so that she can enroll in a state-supported school. She made friends along the way, who motivated her to try something new.
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"I started playing football—hesitant at first, but encouraged by my friends," she said. "I liked playing football so much, especially training. I always feel happy whenever I play football."
The football programme includes a social impact curriculum that develops key employability skills, such as teamwork, communications and contributing behaviours on and off the pitch.
Kanha excelled further than she imagined in football.
The ISF team noticed and offered her an opportunity to become a young coach.
"Through coaching, I have already improved my public speaking skills, gained confidence, and taken on new responsibilities."
There, she received development training and continued to progress, becoming a full-time coach and mentor to other ISF participants.
"This job allows me to support myself and contribute to my family, while pursuing my university degree," Kanha said. "I am incredibly proud to combine my passion for football with my education and financial independence."
In 2024, ISF Cambodia's efforts impacted 1,787 direct participants. Notably, 1,411 of these young people developed valuable employability or vocational skills, like Kanha.
The football programme includes a social impact curriculum that develops key employability skills, such as teamwork, communications and contributing behaviours on and off the pitch.
Kanha excelled further than she imagined in football.
The ISF team noticed and offered her an opportunity to become a young coach.
"Through coaching, I have already improved my public speaking skills, gained confidence, and taken on new responsibilities."
There, she received development training and continued to progress, becoming a full-time coach and mentor to other ISF participants.
"This job allows me to support myself and contribute to my family, while pursuing my university degree," Kanha said. "I am incredibly proud to combine my passion for football with my education and financial independence."
In 2024, ISF Cambodia's efforts impacted 1,787 direct participants. Notably, 1,411 of these young people developed valuable employability or vocational skills, like Kanha.
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ISF Cambodia is one of many grantee partners of Laureus Sport for Good that uses sport to support the development of young people’s soft, technical and vocational skills, as well as specific employment opportunities. In 2024, Laureus impacted over 34,000 young people in sport-based programmes directly working to support them with employability.
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
