The positive effect of vocational training and family reintegration.

An uplifting story highlighting the positive effect of vocational training and family reintegration. A story from the field by our Kaliyan Mith team in Siem Reap.

Vary was  16 years old and living on the streets when she was referred to Kaliyan Mith by Slorkram police due to her heavy involvement with alcohol and drugs on the street in Siem Reap.

Vary had separated from her family many years before and had spent time living with an NGO in Battambang before moving to live on the streets in Siem Reap. At the time of her referral to Kaliyan Mith she had been living on the street in Siem Reap for approximately six months.

Vocational training Kalyian Mith – Photograph by Stephane De Greef.

Vary was placed at Kaliyan Mith Transitional Home and initially her behavior was difficult to manage. She continued to go missing and to drink and use drugs. However, after some time she developed good relationships with the Kaliyan Mith staff and became more settled.

Vary took up Cooking Vocational Training at the Kaliyan Mith training center and proved a good student,  completing her level 1 cooking training.

During this time Kaliyan Mith Family Reintegration social workers undertook family tracing and identified an aunt who was willing to accept Vary to live with her, provided she was no longer drinking and using drugs. Kaliyan Mith was able to assure the aunt that Vary was now doing well and no longer so unstable.

Vocational training Kalyian Mith – Photograph by Stephane De Greef.

Following completion of her cooking training Vary moved to live with her aunt where she helps in the running of a small family restaurant.

Kaliyan Mith social workers continue to follow up with Vary to ensure the sustainability of her placement with her aunt.