Children in Families in Cambodia 

The Cause:

In many places around the world people in poverty make unfortunate decisions because they feel they have no other options.  One example is that around the world there are more than 8 million children living in an orphanage or institutional home; but over 80% of these children have at least one living parent.     

The individual reasons vary but this is largely a result of poverty, marginalisation and lack of education.  Parents may feel they have no choice.  Parents may also be led to believe that putting their child into an institution could offer the child a ‘better life’.

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The Programme: Children in Families 

In Cambodia we work with parents, families and their communities to enable them to raise their children at home, rather than send them to an orphanage.  We also help children who have been sent to an orphanage, return back to their families or communities.  

This is a complex matter with no quick-fix but we are working with families, extended families, foster families and in-community care alternatives. We are also supporting community leaders as they envision people and establish systems to protect children, raise awareness for child protection and anti-trafficking measures and provide training to parents, fostering volunteers and community carers.

Fundraising to Keep Children in Families 

Tearfund Ireland work with our partners to impact more than 75 different communities in Cambodia.  To continue developing the programme we need to raise €50,000 each year over the next 3 years.

 

Watch this short video to learn more