Due to lack of structure within public institutions, children in Cambodia are highly vulnerable to violence & abuse. The most sustainable approach to protecting children within the community is through grassroots programs developed by committed local leaders. Unlike international NGOs, grassroots programs often do not have access to funding or capacity-building opportunities. To reach their full potential, grassroots leaders ordinarily need access to training, mentoring and collaboration.
Doorsteps ensures grassroots leaders not only have financial resources to implement their programs, but more importantly, have the organizational skills necessary to do the effective kinds of work they want to do. Capacity-building and mentoring helps leaders identify specific ways their programs can increase their impact in protecting children and subsequently make their application for a small improvement grant. As a result, children benefit from improved programming in the community.
Doorsteps, managed by national Cambodian leaders, is explicitly designed for long-term impact by ensuring grassroots leaders are positioned to withstand organizational challenges. Since its initial pilot, Doorsteps has provided capacity-building grants to over 20 grassroots programs, with direct improvement grants totaling over $50,000. Over the next 2 years, Doorsteps will mentor and raise capacity with at least 30 national leaders working to protect children against abuse and exploitation.
