Children of Cambodia

Meredith Liddle is a Director of the Children of Cambodia Foundation and she spoke of her involvement with the children of Cambodiaand the Foundation that has been established to help them.

Cambodiais arguably the poorest country in South East Asiaas a result of a number of factors. Although the Khmers, who are native to Cambodia, were one of the first peoples to inhabit South East Asia, their history has been one of conflict both internally and with neighbouring countries and peoples. It is a country of only 181,000 square kilometres, less than the size of Victoria. The World War 2 occupation by Japan, followed by the pattern bombing of the entire country by the Americans during the Vietnam War, and the murderous rule of Pol Pot has resulted in the loss of one third of the population, leaving less than 15 million to resurrect a totally devastated country. Following the Pol Pot Dictatorship, the country, which had been a Monarchy, is now establishing itself as a Constitutional Monarchy.

What they saw in the village of Phum Oin the countryside outside of Seam Riep where Bunrith had taken them, was a Primary School with 411 semi-literate students in cramped, run-down conditions, with almost no writing materials.

As they believe that all advancement stems from education, they questioned the Principal as to what they could do to assist in the education of the children. He outlined to them the need for exercise books, stationery, uniforms and a fresh water well to be dug in the grounds. These then became their priorities.

On top of this they saw the need to get the children to school, as many had to walk long distances, so the supply of bicycles to the children was added to the list.

Following the formation of the Foundation and the raising of some funds to add to their own personal contributions, it has been possible to meet these needs in subsequent visits. As a result, all the children now have uniforms, exercise books with pens and pencils and literacy in the own Khmer language has advanced. The well has been dug and through the supply of filters, clean water is available to the students and also to much of the community of the village, who had no other source of clean water.

At each visit, more bicycles have been supplied, giving the opportunity of education to a wider number of children who could not previously attend. The student population has now risen to 711. With the uniforms being made and the bicycles reconditioned, repaired where needed, fitted with baskets and lamps, all locally, work has been provided for a number of the villagers as well.

If the Foundation could get the support of an organisation such as Rotary, it is felt that some benevolent commercial interests would be willing to be financial supporters of the work the Foundation is undertaking.

Now they have achieved the short term plan for Phum-O to provide uniforms, stationery, library books and bicycles, they will need to look at the buildings and play equipment that are in need of repair, and complete paving between the buildings so the children aren’t walking around in mud during the wet season.

Once they are satisfied that this work is complete, it is intended to move on to other village Primary Schools and even to extend to the Secondary Schools that do exist as they believe “Education is the Way”.