Education for 300 Urban Poor Children

Project Summary

Sunshine Cambodia Organization (SCO) works in five urban poor communities in Phnom Penh. SC’s project supports 350 poor children and youth, especially girls, to have self-confidence, to enjoy and to exercise their rights, to access education, to receive knowledge and skills. They are also prevented and protected from any kind of abuse, violence, trafficking, and exploitation. Moreover, through this project children and youth are equipped to be active actors and leaders for their families and community.

At the same time, SC’s project works with their parents for promoting and improving their full responsibilities for their family living conditions and their children’s studies. Apart from this, the project has engaged the participation of the legal duty bearers such as teachers, local authorities, and the Community Committee of Women and Children (CCWC) to protect and prevent children from any kind of abuse and harm.

We are encouraged to many boys, girls, youth and their families have shown they are improving. Actually, many of them have got knowledge and skills. Some are studying at university and some have jobs. Through our project, we also see some families manage to run a small business and have jobs, while some of them bought some necessary stuff for their family’s needs. Additionally, they also show that they care for their children regarding study and health.

I can see my daughter’s smile

Takvan is studying in grade 3 at Tropeang Krasang primary school. She has an older brother who is a monk. Her mother is a widow who works in a factory. As her mother is the only person who generates income, she could not have enough money to support her family. As a result, her mother owed some money to fix the roof of her small house as they could not sleep whenever raining. Her family is poor. So she could not have enough money to buy a bicycle for Takvan to ride to school. That is why she has to go to school on foot. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to walk to school every day. "It was difficult, I am tired, and sometimes I went to school late." She said. These are the reason for making her feel bored and not want to go to school. Takvan is very happy when she receives a bike from SCO's project. It helps her go to school happily and on time. She takes less time and is not as tired as before.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to SCO for providing my daughter a bike, paying tuition fees for English and extra classes, and supporting her study materials," her mother said. Takvan's mother is happy to see her going to school regularly and happily. "Without the support from SCO, I would not be able to send my child to study English and supplemental classes and might not be able to buy her child a bike and study materials. Now I am happy to see my daughter smile. She got better school results," she added.