Light House Organization Cambodia

Contact Details:

Au Andong Village, Prek Pra Commune, Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Address E-mail: keorithy72@yahoo.com

Tel: +855 (0)12683 597, +855 (0)12756604, +855 (0)12 867270

Lighthouse Children's Organization

Contents Page 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 1. Introduction
2. Cambodian Context
3. Orphans and Vulnerable Children
4. Organization Background
5. Future Activities
Annex A: 7
Annex B: 8
Annex C: 10
Abbreviations AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
LCO Lighthouse Children's Organization
NGO Non Government Organization
OVC Orphans and Vulnerable Children
RGC Royal Government of Cambodia
Introduction 1 This document sets out and defines a proposed agenda of activities for the Lighthouse Children's Organization (LCO) which is a locally run organization in Cambodia. The main aim of this document is for staff to work more programmatically for the benefit of some of the most vulnerable individuals in Cambodian society. This means focusing efforts on achieving specific priorities within the framework of their development goals. The plan also sets out three approaches which will be central to the way in which the organization works: • Basic Care Provision: shelter, clothing, health care, psychosocial and food to ensure the orphans basic needs are met.
• Empowerment: through general and vocational education we will work to provide the orphans with skills to become
independent adults.
• Commitment to Learning: we will actively learn so that our work builds upon the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from experience. The plan should remain relevant for three to five years, but does not have a fixed life span. It will be revised and continually evolved as the development environment and circumstances change and as we all learn to improve on our effectiveness. 2. Cambodian Context: Cambodia is at a critical juncture in its development as it moves away from a post-conflict situation that ravaged the country's physical and human resources. Three decades of isolation and conflict that only ceased in 1991 devastated much of the country’s physical, social and human capital, forcing the nation to start from scratch in rebuilding its infrastructure and institutions. In recent years, Cambodia has made some progress in ensuring peace and a reasonable level of stability. However, the economic growth has not led to a significant reduction in poverty. Poverty rates remain very high and inequality also appears to be increasing. This is due to a range of factors, including limitations on the existing sources of growth such as the poor quality and lack of access to social services, lack of access for a complete education, poor health care and landlessness. The needs of a large percentage of the population are not being met and all of this impacts on some of the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of society. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Cambodia has seen a growing population of orphans who are either living on the streets or in poorly supported orphanages. There is a need, and a moral duty, to not only protect these and other vulnerable children, but to also promote their development. These children need to be given opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential and to participate within their own communities and throughout all levels of society. Framework Dimension The effects of all these problems are typical of a post conflict society provoking, in some, a sense of pessimism and despair. Cambodian physiologist, Mr Meas Nee referrers to this as 'a hopelessness'. Nee writes: 'War makes people hopeless. Minds are paralyzed and it is difficult to think of the future. It seems impossible to initiate new ideas. We need to know this and to know that people will eventually pass beyond that stage. … Where community development has worked well the thing that has happened is not the projects. It is the people of the community moving together to support each other' . //

3. Orphans and Vulnerable Children:

Throughout the world orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) are considered to be one of the most defenseless sectors in society. They take the burden of poverty as evidenced by mortality rates, illiteracy levels, exploitation, and lack of access to basic services. The number of OVC living in Cambodia is expected to continue to rise and many children are at risk of neglect and even abuse on a daily basis.

There are limited national studies on the numbers of OVC in Cambodia. Several NGOs have produced their own surveys and all indicate that the numbers of OVC's will continue to increase. This will have an effect on the Cambodian economy, as a rise in the numbers of OVC will increase school drop-out rates and put extra pressure on health services. There will also be an escalation in the number of children living on the streets, increasing opportunities for abuse, exploitation, crime and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other opportunistic infections.

Every child has an inherent right to survival and development, including the spiritual, moral, psychological and social aspects of life and the child’s best interests should be a primary consideration. Some of these abandoned children resort to crime, prostitution, violence and drug abuse as a means of survival. If this moral downward spiral is allowed to continue Cambodia will become an even more insecure society in which to raise children.

This would also be in direct conflict with the Royal Government of Cambodia's (RGC) sanction of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and can be used as a guide in ensure we largely protect children from abuse and exploitation. The CRC states that 'every child has the right to survival, protection, well-being and development'.

As a child-focused organization we aim to identify the specific needs for the children in our care. Physical weakness and a lack of knowledge and experience render most children dependent or semi-dependent on adults for long periods. Their survival and development depend on the quality of care and commitment provided to them by the adults who have responsibility for them. Therefore, as members of the local community, we are moving together to care and support these children.

4. Organization Background:

The LCO is a local non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 2003 to manage and operate the Lighthouse Children's Orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The LCO was Meas Nee and Joan Healy, Towards Restoring Life in Cambodian Villages, Phnom Penh, 1995

established by Mrs Chea Savy and was registered with the Ministry of Interior in February 2003. The organization was originally set-up with the help of four other local Cambodians with the vision of participating in reducing poverty and misery for orphans, widows and the elderly.

Nowadays, the LCO.’s mission is to alleviate child poverty and suffering in Cambodia by providing orphaned and abandoned children with a safe home, food, clothing, medical care, education and other support. Giving them the opportunity to become healthy and self-reliant members of society.

Currently, there are over hundred children living at the orphanage ranging in age from two to seventeen years. They come from Phnom Penh and the surrounding provinces of Kompong Chnang, Kompong Speu and Kandal. Most of the children were found abandoned at pagodas or on the street and are brought to the orphanage by the village authorities, police, orphanage staff, older relatives and monks.

However, providing food, clothing and shelter is, in itself, not enough. Therefore, the organization is also implementing programs to provide the orphans in their care with a general and vocational education that will equip them with skills and means to support themselves, enabling them to become fully participating and productive members of civil society.

The organization has had to rely solely on charitable donations and voluntary contributions from individuals. However, more and more orphans are arriving at the centre and in need of care. This rapidly expanding demand is putting considerable strain on the already very limited resources. Therefore, any donation of time, supplies or money is greatly appreciated and directly impacts on the quality of the children’s lives.

Location: The LCO is located in Andoung Village, Prek Pra Commune, Khan Meanchey Phnom Penh (near the Islam Pagoda). After the Islam Pagoda, take the 1st left about 100m and turn right about 50m and you will see the LCO logo and center on the left.

Vision: Every child should be given pragmatic opportunities to develop his or her potential to the fullest; regardless of their difficult living conditions, enabling them to turn their dreams of a better world into reality.

Mission: To provide shelter, materials, care, support and education to orphans trapped in a spiral of poverty, and help them overcome their problems by generating a positive context in which they can acquire skills and obtain sufficient resources to satisfy their basic needs in order to lead independent lives, thus becoming fully participating members of society.

5. Future Activities

Goal: To participate in the restoration and economic development of Cambodia through providing support, education and vocational training to vulnerable orphans and enabling them to fully participate in society.

__Mrs Chea Savy, Ms Long Vibolen,Mr Keo Rithy, Mr Lee , Mrs Rath__

Target Area and Population: The LCO works mainly in Phnom Penh and Kompong Speu province due to the large numbers of orphaned children. Many of these children have become orphans due to parents contracting HIV and dying of AIDS. The organization also has a good working relationship with the local authorities in both these areas.

Sectors of Intervention: The main focus is always the safety, well-being and development of the children and ensuring that they can be successfully integrated into their communities.

There are plans to expand the orphanage in order to accommodate up to one hundred children over the next three years. There is also a need for repairs to some of the deteriorating outbuildings, such as the classroom, animal pens and mushroom growing hut.

Basic Care Provision: The Centre in Phnom Penh currently has sixty resident children between the ages of two and seventeen years old. The children are cared for on a daily basis providing shelter, clothing, health care, food and psychosocial support to ensure that the orphans basic needs are met.

Empowerment: through general and vocational education we work to provide the orphans with skills to become independent adults. The younger children attend the local primary school and the older children cycle the 3 kilometers to the nearest secondary school.

In addition to their formal education the children are also taught extra classes including English, Japanese, Khmer dancing, art and traditional handicrafts. The handicrafts and dancing performances are then used to generate a small income.

Commitment to Learning: each staff member brings a wealth of experience and more importantly a long-term commitment, loyalty and sense of responsibility of caring for the orphans.

They are also willing to undertake any training that will enable them to strengthen their abilities and become even more effective in their roles as care-givers, educators, mentors and guardians.

Program Staff :

Organization Staff Structure

Name

Mrs. Chea Savy (Director)

Ms. Long Vibolen( Deputy Director, Project&Fundraising Director)

Mr. Keo Rithy (Assistant Director)

Mrs. Ork Rath (Financing)

Mr. Khan Sophean (Mr Lee)

Mr Touch Sokhorn (Educator)

Mr Khan Kosal (Assistant)

Mr Sao Sokmea (Artor)

Ms Lorn Lida (Cooking)

Ms Yin Sophea (Children take care)

Constraints: It has been difficult to form contacts and partnerships with large donor organizations due to the staff's limited knowledge of written English.

Budget: As can be seen from the budget a cost of $2,155 is required on a monthly basis for all of the daily running costs, excluding any one-off or emergency expenditure.

Currently these monthly out-goings have been met as follows:

Source Amount

Cash Donations from Visitors =$400-500

Cash Donations from Director =$$800-1000

Souvenir Sales =$$100-200

Food Donations =$300

Output: Orphaned children are well cared for and have been assisted in developing their full inclusion, independence and active participation as members of their communities and society.

The Lighthouse Children's Organization - Framework Dimension

Goal: To participate in the restoration and economic development of Cambodia through providing support, education and vocational training to vulnerable orphans and enabling them to fully participate in society.

Mission & Vision:

Vision: Every child should be given pragmatic opportunities to develop his or her potential to the fullest; regardless of their difficult living conditions, enabling them to turn their dreams of a better world into reality.

Mission: To provide shelter, materials, care, support and education to orphans trapped in a spiral of poverty, and help them overcome their problems by generating a positive context in which they can acquire skills and obtain sufficient resources to satisfy their basic needs in order to lead independent lives, thus becoming fully participating members of society.

1. Basic Care Provision

Activities:

Provision of shelter, food, clothing, health and psychosocial care

2. Education

Activities:

General and vocational education we will work to provide the orphans with skills to become independent adults.

3. Commitment to Learning Activities

We will actively learn so that our work builds upon the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from experience

Inputs: Human and material resources of the Lighthouse Children's Organization, loyalty and commitment of staff, support of government and local community, along with donations from individuals and donor organizations.

Outputs: Orphaned children are well cared for and have been assisted in developing their full inclusion, independence and active participation as members of their communities and society.

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