ASIA/CAMBODIA -New treatment and rehabilitation centers for children at risk

Neak Loeung (Agenzia Fides) - Currently in the world there are about 150 million street children. In Cambodia, poverty, lack of education and scruples on behalf of many adults and especially the lack of intervention by the authorities, condemn thousands of children in inhumane situations. A wide range of social evils such as, slavery, sexual and economic exploitation of children, drug addiction, the increase of HIV, smuggling and corruption, make many places in Cambodia extremely dangerous places for healthy growth. One of these places is Poipet, in north-eastern Cambodia, near the border with Thailand, a place for all possible social illnesses, as well as a nightmare for over 300 children. The same situation is present at Neak Loeung, near Phnom Pehn, where there are 190 children at risk, beggars and workers.
The local NGO Damnok Toe is committed in these areas, set up to give back to these children at risk what the sick society has taken away from them. The main objective of these centers is the prevention of child abuse, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims into society through education. The project initiated by the NGO wants to ensure the ongoing assistance and training to these children. Damnok Toe approached the Spanish Catholic organization Manos Unidas for aid for the reception, care and psychological health and the training of about 3,540 children. During their stay in the centers, the young children, as well as food and accommodation are entitled to medical assistance and training through activities which in future could be their source of income such as gardening, music, sewing, motorbike repairs, hairdressing or carpentry. They also receive advice, psychosocial support and especially the attention and emotional support that was denied to them. They also learn to live with their teachers in a family and participate in daily activities in the house. In particular then, these centers allow children to regain self-esteem, and a lost childhood. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 04/30/2011)