In Cambodia, as is custom most girls would not feel comfortable and confident talking about feminine health. This is the reason which compels them to choose to be silent. It seems better than talking or learning about this, in case they will be embarrassed and ashamed and criticized for sharing or asking about their concerns and about any risks they are facing.
Serve Cambodia’s program called “Girl Talk” is created to help young girls. It is targeted towards girls who are around the age of 12 up to be involved in knowing about their health care. It may be that they start adolescent behavior. They are at an age where they feel like they cannot talk about what is happening to their body. In this class, we discuss the use of sanitary products, as well as sexually transmitted disease and what is to be expected during puberty in a safe environment.
Because turning to this age their bodies are changing; their moods may be unpredictable and sometimes hard to explain. These changes are normal. This Girl Talk is designed to help our teenage girls at Serve Cambodia’s three education centers to understand the common physical and emotional changes they are going through and to deal responsibly with new personal and social situations they may encounter.
And also for us, as adults to seek an opportunity to be close with them and be able to share the love of Jesus as well because Jesus was not ashamed to heal the woman who bled for many years. He knew it was not her fault and it was not a sin. It is something that happens to every girl and every woman. It is the way a girl becomes a woman and it is the way for her to be able to do what God thinks is very special – it makes her so she can have children and the bleeding is just a way of the body preparing for this. The blood is not bad nor a reason to feel shame. It is just the body cleaning itself from the inside. The blood is no worse than is sweat or our need to go to the toilet. IT IS NATURAL AND GOOD AND HEALTHY. And also to value their body for a marriage.
However we have taught them about body change for the puberty, the body changes its shape. Girls start to get breasts and for the hips to become a bit bigger. This is also to help a girl become a woman. It is more natural for the baby to want to suck the mother’s breast instead of a bottle and it is healthier for the mother and the baby. This is something that will be taught when they are pregnant – not now.
They are also taught about noticing the changes in their body each month, managing their healthy diet, and developing helpful sanitary practices that will prevent any diseases or discomfort from developing. Many of the girls have never heard about these things from their family before, and are always very excited to learn more and to ask many questions in a safe and supportive environment without shame or embarrassment.
We hope through this class girls could be able to know more about their health, and protecting their reproduction as well. Hopefully, they will be able to teach others and aware that this is necessary to learn. They will also be able to pass on this information to the next generation when they have their own children.
by Nineaka “Nika” Sim (Serve Cambodia’s School Nurse)
HOH · Light of Hope · Medical · Nineaka Sim · Sponsorships · TLC
