Education/Arts Orphan, Disabled Children Cambodia

by Khmer Cultural Development Institute

Summary

This project will help up to 25 orphans some with HIV and epilepsy, as well as blind children. By living at our school, this allows them to receive full time care, scholastic education with Braille, traditional Cambodian performing arts training, as therapy and vocational training. The children (except for the blind) have no parents, no extended families and have no alternative care except for our school; We work with the Ministries of Culture, Education & Social Affairs and local authorities.

$200,000
total goal

$30,604
remaining

435
donors

6
monthly donors

3
fundraisers

10
years

Challenge

Kampot Province was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. It is affected by poverty and drought, but also endemic AIDS. Children are left without parents and if infected with HIV stigmatised and rejected by their communities. Some children have nowhere to go and no relative to care for them. Blind children are often regarded as "shameful" in rural areas and have no access to education or rehabilitative/vocational training. Many children both blind and/or orphaned suffer terribly.

Solution

The project provides care to these children from infant school to university level, in a loving atmosphere. Providing 24 hour care, counselling and accommodation, nutritious food, clothing, material necessities, free scholastic education with Braille support and Cambodian arts training as therapy & vocational training. Also vocational training in non-art subjects and participation in the Transition Program from the age of 18+, to help them prepare for a life as independent young adults.

Long-Term Impact

The 25 children who stay at KCDI have the possibility to build a future in a safe and caring environment. Being able to receive free tuition allows them to study scholastic education from primary school to university level, Cambodian music, dance and theatre, vocational training and training in performance and transition into young adulthood, giving these young students the only possibility they have of building a future. Since 1994, 450 students have already graduated with positive results.