Empowering Communities Through One Health Education: Raising Awareness in Cambodia

Ms. Tha Sokea, one of the teacher trainees, explaining about the flier to the participants.

In a world where human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected, educating communities about One Health is more crucial than ever. Recognizing this, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED) and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), with generous support from Chevron, joined forces to organize a transformative One Health Awareness Raising Activity at Preah Bat Samdech Preah Borom Neat Norodom Sihamoni General and Technical High School in Cambodia. Held on December 29, 2024, this initiative aimed to educate and empower local communities in tackling health challenges, with a special focus on rabies prevention.

Building Awareness Through Education

The event, held in Ka Ot Village, Peany Commune, Kampong Tralach District, Kampong Chhnang Province, attracted over 60 participants, including community members, students, teacher trainees, and representatives from SEAMEO TED and CAMOHUN. Its primary objectives were to enhance community understanding of One Health principles, particularly in relation to zoonotic diseases like rabies, and to strengthen the capacity of teacher trainees in delivering One Health education.

Teacher trainees from Preah Bat Samdech Preah Borom Neat Norodom Sihamoni General and Technical High School played a pivotal role, serving as trainers to lead the activities. With the support of students who had previously attended a One Health Awareness Raising Workshop, they facilitated discussions and interactive learning sessions designed to make One Health concepts accessible and practical for the local community.

Interactive Learning and Community Engagement

The event was structured into two main segments: a morning workshop and an afternoon flier distribution campaign. During the workshop, participants gathered in the community meeting hall to learn about the fundamentals of One Health and its application to zoonotic disease prevention. A highlight of the morning session was a skit performed by students, demonstrating the impact of rabies and effective prevention measures. This engaging approach helped reinforce key messages in a way that resonated with the audience. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to community outreach. Participants were divided into four groups and tasked with distributing educational fliers on rabies prevention throughout Ka Ot Village. Armed with knowledge and resources, they engaged in direct conversations with community members, spreading awareness and practical solutions to prevent the spread of rabies.

One of the students and two other local participants explaining about rabies measure to a local.

A Collaborative Effort for a Healthier Future

The success of this initiative underscores the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change. By involving teacher trainees, students, and community members, the project not only disseminated vital health information but also empowered future educators to continue advocating for One Health principles.This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate One Health education into schools and communities across Cambodia.

The One Health Awareness Raising Activity at Preah Bat Samdech Preah Borom Neat Norodom Sihamoni General and Technical High School is a testament to the importance of education in driving public health initiatives. By equipping communities with knowledge and resources, this program fosters a proactive approach to disease prevention and health promotion. As the project continues to expand, it holds the potential to shape a healthier, more informed future for Cambodia and beyond.