Preah Vihear, from September 17th to 20th, 2024 – Members of ADRA Cambodia’s TOGETHER project team, in collaboration with ADRA Canada and Preah Vihear Provincial Administration, have brought together implementing partners from Cambodia, Kenya, Uganda, and the Philippines, alongside national, international and government partners, ADRA Canada, Salanga, and Global Affairs Canada for TOGETHER Project Dissemination Meetings. These 4-day sessions have been a crucial opportunity to collaborate and share insights on their impactful work that has reached the halfway mark.
The event, held at Ly Huot Restaurant in Preah Vihear City, was chaired by Mr. David Verbiwski, Chargé d’Affaires Office of the Embassy of Canada in Cambodia, and Mr. Yong Kim Hean, Deputy Governor of Preah Vihear Province. The objectives of the meeting were to Celebrate TOGETHER project impact and accomplishments, to draw lessons from the midterm evaluation findings, to ensure TOGETHER teams have a clear understanding of expectations and milestones for achieving the project outcomes and to enhance TOGETHER teams’ cohesiveness and collaboration across the countries. A total of 94 participants attended the meeting.
Mr. Mark Schwisow, Country Director of ADRA Cambodia, highlighted the impact of the six-year TOGETHER project, which began in 2021. The project, implemented in Cambodia, the Philippines, Kenya, and Uganda, focuses on empowering families through gender equality initiatives, with a special emphasis on improving the well-being, health, and rights of women and girls. Mr. Schwisow emphasized that the project has worked closely with the Cambodian government to build the capacity of youth, educators, and healthcare providers, while also promoting initiatives to prevent domestic and community violence.
“This meeting is an important opportunity for cross-country collaboration,” said Mr. Mark. “It allows us to reflect on the progress made, share best practices, and strengthen the partnership between international teams to achieve the project’s goals.”
Mr. David Verbiwski, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Canada in Cambodia, expressed his appreciation for the project and the dedication of those involved, stating, “You all take a leap of faith when you engage yourselves in a project like this. We know that there are great challenges, and Canada is here to be with you through those challenges. As we take stock of the successes today and tomorrow, it will help us as we take stock of our own policies and how we need to further adapt moving forward.”
Deputy Governor, Mr. Yong Kim Hean, speaking on behalf of Governor H.E Kim Rithy, praised the strong cooperation between ADRA and the Preah Vihear Provincial Administration. “No one can achieve success alone,” he stated. “Together, we are shaping our future and destiny.” He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to ADRA for its unwavering support in areas such as humanitarian aid, rural development, sanitation, water, education, and health.
Alongside the discussions in the meeting, participants also had the opportunity to visit target communities in Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, and Stung Treng to observe the project’s implementation firsthand and gather key insights from local stakeholders.
ADRA Cambodia is implementing the “uniting TOwards Gender Equality for enjoyment of women’s and girls’ Total HEalth and Rights” (TOGETHER) project thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. Supported by ADRA Canada, SickKids and Salanga, this gender-transformative 6-year project will ensure that nearly two hundred thousand girls, women, boys and men in Cambodia, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda are enabled to exercise their health-related human rights.
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