First Lady Obama Wants to ‘Let Girls Learn’ in Cambodia
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letgirlslearn.peacecorps.gov(SIEM REAP, Cambodia) — First Lady Michelle Obama is encouraging Cambodian students to stay in school and use their education to demand greater freedoms and more equality.
Continuing on her five-day tour of Asia to promote her education initiative “Let Girls Learn,” the first lady stopped in the northern city of Siem Reap to urge young girls to use their voices in their communities.
“Let Girls Learn is about giving girls like you here — all the girls who are here — giving you a voice in your communities and your country,” she said, addressing the students.
Cambodia is among 11 countries initially taking part in Let Girls Learn. The other participating countries include Albania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Georgia, Ghana, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Togo and Uganda.
The Peace Corps has been tasked with overseeing the program. Together with Mrs. Obama, Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet says Let Girls Learn plans to offer new girls’ education and empowerment training, support community projects, and recruit, train and place hundreds of volunteers who will be passionate supporters of girls’ education.
“We are so honored to be working with the first lady on this important issue. Along with President Obama, she has seen firsthand the power of education to spark creativity, passion and change in the lives of girls, if only given the chance. That’s why we believe so much in what Let Girls Learn can accomplish,” Hessler Radelet said of Obama’s involvement in the program.
“We are so grateful for the first lady’s leadership, and […] we couldn’t have a more passionate, inspiring champion,” she added.
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