Cambodia’s recent history of conflict, instability and rapid social change has resulted in the a lack of protection for children in all aspects of their lives. Save the Children is working across 16 communes in four districts, in Prey Veng and Kampong Cham provinces, to increase the capacity of government and community-based organisations in identifying and responding to child protection issues.

We provide training to relevant local non-governmental organisations and government ministries on ‘Child Safe Organisation’ to ensure that institutions working with children have robust child protection policies.

We reinforce and support existing child protection mechanisms such as community based social protection networks, civil society, and government sectors that are responsible for child protection issues, such as the Commune Committee for Women and Children and the police. We teach them how to protect children in communities and to share their information to improve child protection laws, policies and implementation.

Human stories

Sok

Sok, 10 lives in Prey Veng province, East of Cambodia Capital Phnom Penh. More than 2 years ago, Sok Heng's parents divorced so they sent him to live with another family member. After some time, Sok Heng ran away from the family because he was beaten regularly. While he was walking on the street Sok met a lady who then took him to stay with her family in the same province. Again, Sok  was faced with domestic violence from the family's members. Therefore, he decided to run away once again. He ended up living on the street by himself or sometimes staying at a nearby pagoda begging to survive from time to time. 

Currently, Sok is living with a new family in Prey Veng province. His foster parents and other family members treat him well. Sok has enough food to eat, receives healthcare and education and enjoys life with his new family and friends. Sok has successfully finished Grade One and is going to Grade Two.

In early 2010, when Sok was adopted by his current family, this news was reported to the Commune Committee on Women and Children (CCWC) by a child representative during the Commune monthly meeting. After getting Sok's details, the chief of CCWC delegated roles and responsibilities to members of CCWC such as, a woman focal point, school representative and health centre representative to immediately visit Sok's foster family to ensure that he was being looked after, receiving psychological support and was legally protected.

Sok's foster mother Mrs. Chum said, "When I first saw Sok Heng, he was sick and had skin disease. I had sympathy on him so I decided to adopt him. After receiving treatment for about 6 months, he was fully recovered and able to start schooling." She continued, " everyday, I take good care of him and I want him to get high knowledge when he grow up, he fill find a good job to support his own family."