Cambodia
- 104 sponsorship programmes
- 2,600 sponsored children
- 21 development programmes
- 6 education centres
- 1,540 students benefiting extra classes in our centres
- 72 local employees
- 15 overseas volunteers
Cambodia is still very rural and must deal with its great inequality as economic growth mainly benefits the urban population. The main issues faced are rural exodus and unemployment, as the traditional model of farming is threatened by the mechanisation of agriculture. Education is key to fight school dropout and provide work.
Since 2005, Children of the Mekong have been running child sponsorship programmes along with local supervisors. Child sponsorship provides individual support for sponsored children in remote areas to send them to school. Children of the Mekong either directly manages these programmes or partners with local organisations (Buddhism for development, Paris Foreign Missions…).
- 16.2 million inhabitants (2017) of which 78.8% of the population resides in rural areas
- Official language: Khmer
- Currency: Cambodian riel
- Main religion: 96.9% Buddhist
- Literacy rate: 72.2%
Our overseas volunteers team up with sixty Cambodian employees and 80 Khmer teachers. They are responsible for monitoring the academics and social support for the sponsored children. Since 1993, Children of the Mekong has opened 4 education centres in North West Cambodia (equipped with boarding houses) mainly for dealing with the problem of school dropouts which is rampant near the border with Thailand.
In Phnom Penh, the Doctor Christophe Merieux centre trains University students in view of their entrance into the employment market. Students are also offered holistic training on self-development helping them to embrace the world and settle into the wider society. We believe that the young people we support can be role models for their countries tomorrow. Children of the Mekong also partners with several organisations (Salabai, CKN, Don Bosco…) and local businesses to develop the children’s academic path and integration into society.
In addition to the above, Children of the Mekong supports access to education through the construction or renovation of schools in villages in conjunction with child sponsorship programmes.
Sponsor a child in Cambodia
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OUR CURRENT PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA
Sisophon Education Centre
Helping our young people to continue their studies at the Sisophon Education Centre in Cambodia. SUPPORT THIS PROJECT
Samrong Education Centre
Samrong is located in Oddar Meanchey province, in Northwest Cambodia. Education opportunities are severely limited and dropout rates remain high. Support this project
Our news in Cambodia
Our meeting with our sponsored child Vichika!
Kendall, Jonathan & Hugo are on a world tour with their family. They have been sponsoring the education of a little Cambodian girl, Vichika […]
What are the Covid-19 impacts on the learning of Cambodian children?
Findings from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) reveal the serious consequences of the pandemic on Cambodian children’s education. Author: Shi Xian
Children of the Mekong begins supporting Cambodian refugees in Thai camps
1986
Children of the Mekong’s action begins in Cambodia
1991
Children of the Mekong opens 4 educational centres, along with boarding houses, mainly to face high school dropout rates occurring near the Thai border
1993
A boarding house is established in Phnom Penh allowing hundreds of students to pursue higher education
1997
Opening of several sponsorship programmes with local programme managers, in order to reach deprived families in remote areas
2005
The Phnom Penh boarding house becomes the Centre Docteur Christophe Mérieux and provides holistic training to train well-rounded leaders of tomorrow
2010