Via Del Campo Children's House Fund
Donation protected
Over the past seven years, the Via Del Campo Children's House has grown into a vital provider of education, child care, nutritious meals, and family outreach services for one of Sihanoukville's poorest neighborhoods. The center now provides these services to over 100 children and their families. With this growth the need for funding has also greatly risen. Operating without government assistance on a monthly budget, the greatest challenge the center faces is funding. "Today, we seek to raise funds to establish a reserve account that the center can use for unexpected expenses. For example, money to repair the roof damage caused during a rainstorm last month. This will provide our center with the security and stability the community desperately needs. We are grateful for the many years of funding from CIFA and others, without their compassion the center would not be able to provide the services we currently do. Thank you for your time and we hope your generosity will help us achieve our goal."
-Via Del Campo Children's House Director, Mr. Youn Kimchhay

Phoum Thmey is known as the unique red light district of Sihanoukville. The living conditions are extremely saddening and precarious, resembling those of a Brazilian Favela. Families are 'squatting' in shanty and slum areas, without access basic human rights. There are three critical issues which need to be addressed urgently:
1. Health care, hygiene interventions, and food support: The children living in the area often encounter health complications due to the complete lack of basic hygiene practices, proper nutrition, and a sanitary environment to live in. When a child does get sick or injured, there are very few options to seek medical help. All of which need to be payed out of pocket, making it impossible for the vast majority of those living in Phoum They.
2. Access to primary education: There are no government sponsored schools in the area, and a high percentage of residents have no formal education. There simply aren't enough schools available for the children, and it costs money to attend the few primary schools that do exist.
3. Housing and a structured environment: Many children have one parent, usually a mother, while many others are abandoned and/or orphaned. It is common for people to live in makeshift houses on land they do not own. After the Khmer Rouge executed thousands of teachers in the hopes of abolishing traditional education in Cambodia, most children are being raised by uneducated people in their family. Attending school requires help with some of the material, financial support, and constant supervision to ensure the child doesn't fall behind.
The risks of sexual exploitation are very real for the children in Phoum Thmey. Police and NGOs are reporting higher amount of child abuse and exploitation within the sector, as well as on and near the beaches. The parents/caregivers often cannot find stable jobs, forcing the children to produce income of their own. Begging, looking for garbage that can be recycled, or offering massages on the beach are common ways this is accomplished. Education costs money, so that is often the last option for a family struggling to satisfy their child's basic hygienic and nutritional needs.
Via Del Campo Children's house seeks to create a snowballing effect for the largely forgotten community of Phoum Thmey. 105 of the community's most desperate children were selected for the education program, but the center does much more than basic education. The center provides a safe space for these children, where they can learn about their country's history and culture, which was nearly lost under the Khmer Rouge. There is a home-feeding program, as well as others to provide basic household needs for desperate families. There are many other programs and activities, including dance classes, paths/funds for higher education, trips to the beach, trash removal and recycling, healthcare, and various types of recreation. The center employs dedicated educators that will travel to a child's home if there is a need, most live in the very same community as the children. The center hopes to promote the importance of education and a healthy environment within the community, and create change for many more than just the 105 children currently attending. Donations will be received by Youn Kimmchhay, the director of the Via Del Campo Children's House, to start a fund to cover unexpected operating costs. The center can be reached at +855 70 774 417.
More photos of the center and Phoum They can be found below.
















-Via Del Campo Children's House Director, Mr. Youn Kimchhay
Phoum Thmey is known as the unique red light district of Sihanoukville. The living conditions are extremely saddening and precarious, resembling those of a Brazilian Favela. Families are 'squatting' in shanty and slum areas, without access basic human rights. There are three critical issues which need to be addressed urgently:
1. Health care, hygiene interventions, and food support: The children living in the area often encounter health complications due to the complete lack of basic hygiene practices, proper nutrition, and a sanitary environment to live in. When a child does get sick or injured, there are very few options to seek medical help. All of which need to be payed out of pocket, making it impossible for the vast majority of those living in Phoum They.
2. Access to primary education: There are no government sponsored schools in the area, and a high percentage of residents have no formal education. There simply aren't enough schools available for the children, and it costs money to attend the few primary schools that do exist.
3. Housing and a structured environment: Many children have one parent, usually a mother, while many others are abandoned and/or orphaned. It is common for people to live in makeshift houses on land they do not own. After the Khmer Rouge executed thousands of teachers in the hopes of abolishing traditional education in Cambodia, most children are being raised by uneducated people in their family. Attending school requires help with some of the material, financial support, and constant supervision to ensure the child doesn't fall behind.
The risks of sexual exploitation are very real for the children in Phoum Thmey. Police and NGOs are reporting higher amount of child abuse and exploitation within the sector, as well as on and near the beaches. The parents/caregivers often cannot find stable jobs, forcing the children to produce income of their own. Begging, looking for garbage that can be recycled, or offering massages on the beach are common ways this is accomplished. Education costs money, so that is often the last option for a family struggling to satisfy their child's basic hygienic and nutritional needs.
Via Del Campo Children's house seeks to create a snowballing effect for the largely forgotten community of Phoum Thmey. 105 of the community's most desperate children were selected for the education program, but the center does much more than basic education. The center provides a safe space for these children, where they can learn about their country's history and culture, which was nearly lost under the Khmer Rouge. There is a home-feeding program, as well as others to provide basic household needs for desperate families. There are many other programs and activities, including dance classes, paths/funds for higher education, trips to the beach, trash removal and recycling, healthcare, and various types of recreation. The center employs dedicated educators that will travel to a child's home if there is a need, most live in the very same community as the children. The center hopes to promote the importance of education and a healthy environment within the community, and create change for many more than just the 105 children currently attending. Donations will be received by Youn Kimmchhay, the director of the Via Del Campo Children's House, to start a fund to cover unexpected operating costs. The center can be reached at +855 70 774 417.
More photos of the center and Phoum They can be found below.
Organizer
Cory Dalsimer
Organizer
Moretown, VT