Give slum living kids a future through football

COVID has meant that we were not able to hold football training and matches as usual, but the kids and their families were not forgotten. Some were in extreme difficulty due to losing their jobs as a fall-out from COVID in Cambodia.

The top provincial football team came to help distribute donated rice and essential cooking items.

One middle-aged woman from Sen Sok district forced to scavenge through trash for items of any worth to support her family spoke of her relief at receiving the donation.

“In the current situation, this is of so much help. I expect this kind gift will feed my family for at least a month. I really want to thank Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC and Flame Cambodia for their help.

“I cannot find the words to express my gratitude. I have eight family members at home, and I am alone in supporting them. For the first time in a while, I do not have to worry,” she said through tears.

Svay Rieng head coach, Conor Nestor, spoke of how the club had wasted no time in deciding to act when hearing of the families’ plight. “On behalf of the Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC family, we wish you all the best in these difficult times. We hope today is better than yesterday, and that tomorrow is better than today. We as an organisation will continue to support the good work of Flame Cambodia,” the Irishman said before players and staff took the food parcels – which amounted to more than three tonnes of rice – out to waiting tuk-tuks and motorbikes.

Flame’s Country Director, NouVandeth said, “Some of the Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC players had difficult childhoods themselves, and they haven’t forgotten and want to give back to help others now that they are champions.”

 We are extremely grateful that we have such amazing partners (of which you are an one) to help our families. A beautiful reminder that we are not alone.