Cambodia

Cambodia has recently begun to rebuild its social, economical, cultural and political sectors after decades of instability, military regime and social strife. However, with its majority rural population lacking education, safe infrastructure and sanitary conditions, the process is slow. Foreign aid and investments have been few due to fear of government instability, leaving Cambodias great potential unrecognized. In October 2008, Cambodia was added as the most recent country where CCF works. CCF established sponsorship programs in Cambodia working with affiliate ChildFund Australia. ChildFund Cambodia Fast Facts Early Childhood Development ChildFund Cambodia will be establishing kindergartens in each community-based school. Teachers will be trained on child-friendly teaching methodology and mentored and supported to provide young children with a warm and active learning environment. In Svay Chrum district less than 50 percent of pre-school children attend kindergarten. ChildFund Cambodia will start work with education by building four community schools that serve villages in Svay Chum district and the Svay Rieng province to engage children at a young age through formal kindergarten. Health and Sanitation ChildFund Cambodia supports the construction and rehabilitation of water systems (wells) and the quality of water. These efforts are intended to provide employment and earning opportunities in rural areas. ChildFunds Healthy Villages program will contribute toward the governments goal of increasing access to drinking water in rural communities. Implementing a three-year Healthy Villages program, ChildFund will build 262 latrines and 62 wells and increase hygiene and sanitation knowledge through on-going training programs. Sustainable Livelihood Almost half of Cambodias 13.8 million population are under age 18. In addition, 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas and rely on subsistence agriculture for their

livelihood. ChildFund Cambodia is responding to the need to supplement household income through the development of a Youth for Development program. This program will help youth develop leadership skills, participate in income generation training, income generation resources and attend business planning and life skills training to support household incomes. To start, this program will work in Svay Thum and Svay Yea areas building a foundation of trust for youth and communities to demonstrate and improve leadership skills. Child Protection Child protection training and effective strategies are integrated into all of ChildFund Cambodia's work. Ensuring that the best interests of the child are central to all development planning is essential for community discussions, program design and implementation. Child protection is also included in life skills training which will be provided to 25 Child Clubs.