Another 8-year-old girl

Another 8-year-old was raped days ago. She is one amongst four cases that Sao Sary Foundation has been assisted and raped by immediate and distance relatives. Since 2010, SSF has been taking actions seriously against all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse and trafficking against children. In a single province Kampong Speu it has 19 raped cases that received assistances through SSF. 

In 2010 total 524 cases of rape were reported for Cambodia. As with previous years, most victims of rape were children. This report confirms that incidence of reported rape in Cambodia is increasing and that a growing number of reported victims are children. Furthermore, the age of reported victims is getting younger for both adults and children. The median age of child rape victims in 2010 is 12, two years younger than it was in 2007. The median age of adult rape victims has also fallen from 23 in 2007 to 21 in 2010.

For 2009, 535 suspected rape incidences involving 541 victims. 384 (72%) of the victims were children. Comparing the number of reported cases from 2003 to 2009, we note fluctuations over the years and that children have always had a higher representation compared to their adult counterpart. In 2009, all victims were female aged 2 to 84. Almost every victim is Cambodian (Khmer).

The victims who are under SSF's Protection programme normally received various  assistances ranging from legal support to rehabilitations. The last  8-year-old victim was raped by her father while he got her to bath in a pond far about 30 meters from their hut. He attempted to kill her but suddenly his wife called for him as she wondered why both of them going to take a bath so long than usual. SSF staff members went to visit her family on August 9, after our network informing and we got her to see doctor due to her painfulness isn't released and blood remains flowing.  The father ran away while his wife asked for assistance from the neighbors.   

Villages link with Facebook ‘friends’ to solve water & sanitation crisis

Rural NGO uses social media to link isolated villages with Friends overseas

March 22, Kampong Speu, Cambodia: Three villages in Kampong Speu province that connected with “friends” in Singapore and Malaysia via Facebook yesterday received one of the province’s largest deliveries of water and sanitation facilities, the director of Sao Sary Foundation said.

Children in Rokha Thom commune, Kampong Speu province, where less than 10 percent of households have access to safe water and sanitation.

Mr. Vichetr Uon said four “friends” from Singapore and Malaysia arrived on Saturday 19th March to assist village residents install 168 sanitary latrines, adding to the scores of ceramic water filters distributed and wells installed with the assistance of Facebook friends from around the world.

“Facebook put us in the villages,” Mrs. Connie Cheah, from Johore Baru Malaysia, said. “After we became ‘friends’ I started asking how we could help and what they needed most.  We used social media and text messaging to raise awareness and funds in Malaysia and Singapore.”

Kraing Ampil commune chief Kong Chhom said, “We were very surprised that came to help install the latrines. They knew a lot about the villages and spent a lot of time talking to residents. They were really eager to help, even digging the pits.”

SSF is using Facebook and other social media to provide people around the world with a more immediate understanding of the immense development challenges rural Cambodians face, especially those in isolated villages, Mr. Uon said. Youths from the villages connect with Facebook friends through SSF’s Learning Center near Chbar Morn city.

Students at SSF’s Learning Centre in Kampong Speu, central Cambodia, are using Facebook and other social media to link their villages to friends around the world.

Lack of access to safe water and sanitary latrines is a major barrier to development in rural Cambodia, said Mr. Bora Im, SSF Livelihoods Coordinator. “Children are getting sick, some are dying, and they are missing school. There is also a loss of productivity among parents due to illness, and some are going into debt pay for medical expenses,” Mr. Im said. He pointed to a World Bank report that warned that at the rate Cambodia was going it would take 150 years for universal sanitation coverage in rural areas, which have been largely bypassed by the country’s economic growth and under served by Phnom Penh-based NGOs.¹  More than 6,000 Cambodians, primarily children, die every year as a result of lack of access to sanitary latrines, the report notes.

Mrs. Cheah said, “We started with photos, videos and chats, and then arrived in person. We also worked with SSF to make sure all the latrines were locally produced so that it would boost the economy and provide employment.”

Mr. Im said SSF had been training village residents on how to install and maintain the latrines, as well as maintain the wells. Some residents had also received training on how to construct ceramic water storage containers, which can be sold in the area rather than imported from Phnom Penh, he said.

The cost was about $40 per latrine, which is cheaper than the price most private sector companies sell at because the latrines had been bought in bulk, Mr. Im said. The average household income in the three villages is less than $25 per month, he said.

“Because we are a small NGO that works within rural communities we have more personal relationships with residents, so this allows us to create the sort of personal bonds with people around the world that can lead to effective and sustainable solutions based on personal understanding,” he said.  “For us, social media puts the power of personal connections into development. It keeps the focus on people not data,” Mr. Uon said.

¹ Economic impacts of sanitation in Cambodia, World Bank Water and Sanitation Program, 2008.

The three villages are Thlok Dounsok and Kdol in Kraing Ampil commune, and Rokha Thom village in Rokha Thom commune.

World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children 19 November 2010

Child abuse and exploitation continue to be daunting issues the world over. In Asia, 12% of the total child population is engaged in child labour, 40% of young women were married before age 18 (child marriage) and 48% have permissive attitudes towards domestic violence. Child trafficking is closely tied to each of these elements of abuse and exploitation. The situation in Cambodia is particularly bleak. The country’s incidences of sex slavery are unacceptably high; it is estimated that there are close to 80,000 to 100,000 sex slaves and prostitutes in the country. In other words, one in 150 people are sex slaves or prostitutes. The majority of the victims are women and children who find themselves selling their bodies in and around the urban areas of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanouk Ville where demand is the highest. In light of these staggering figures, the fact that trafficking remains pervasive in the country almost goes without saying. As we move into 2011, Cambodia remains a major receiving, sending and transit country for human trafficking, both for sex and labour. A recent UNAIP report indicates that poverty, socio-economic imbalances between rural areas and urban centers, increased tourism, and lack of employment, education and safe migration are all contributing factors to trafficking in Cambodia. The desperation to survive and the lengths people are forced to go to create a global imperative for action, as trafficking is one of the most abhorrent forms of abuse.

Sao Sary Foundation commences its fifth year of working directly with communities to prevent such atrocities from happening. Collaborating with the Women’s World Summit Foundation, and with the support of the many generous donors, SSF aims to develop awareness and a culture of prevention around the topic of abuse and violence against children. As such, on the 20th of November 2010, SSF held its 3rd annual World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children. This year’s theme was Adults and Young People Unite for Better Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children. Accordingly, the 150 workshop participants included SSF staff, volunteers and students, adult villagers, local authorities from Kraing Ampil and Rokha Thom communes, Groundwork Opportunity’s visiting team and three featured guest (former trafficked individuals). Choosing to focus on trafficking, the day was full of presentations and open dialogue, small group discussions, role-playing, guest speakers, and a continuous stream of questions and answers. It was a day where everyone worked together toward raising awareness, brainstorming prevention strategies and expanding and sharing knowledge. One student explained that listening to the labor trafficked guest speaker was very powerful, sharing:

I had a similar experience where a stranger asked me to go work for him, but I knew that he was lying so I told him “No.” I know that people can be dishonest and I can share with my friends that they need to be very careful about people asking them to work because now I saw what could have happened if I decided to go.

It was not just the participants listening to the experiences of others that proved powerful. For Srey Pov, sharing her experience as a sex trafficking victim was important because I wanted to share my life because I wanted to tell the children, especially the girls, not to follow my way. They needed to know that they should build a better life in society. Srey Pov was sold into sex trade by her uncle with $150.

By the day’s end, the workshop enabled participants to not just understand the complexities trafficking, but through collaboration and communication recognize that trafficking can happen to anyone, and that EVERYONE must work together to prevent it.

Continue reading to hear more about what participants had to say about the workshop…

Advisor for Technical-Vocational Education

Introduction

Want to make a lasting impact on the lives of Cambodia’s most marginalized children?  Work with the Sao Sary Foundation (SSF).  SSF is a youth-led and government recognized, grassroots NGO dedicated to preventing the violence, exploitation, and abuse of children.  SSF works on the ground through direct and active engagement with communities to identify at-risk children and provide sustainable assistance to both them and their families. 

Position Overview

The Advisor’s primary responsibility includes provide overall management, planning and coordination of Vocational Skills Training Program.  The position is based in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu province.

Duties and Responsibilities

·   Formulate the training plans and toolkits to improve the organization capacity building

·   Identify and analyze the training and development needs for individuals and organization

·   Train and facilitate all training courses

·   Design and evaluate the training and development programs

·   Plan and implement the induction programs

·   Update and develop the training procedure and manual

·   Build a good relationship with the external training agencies

·   Organize and keep the data and records of staff development and training

·   Forecast and prepare the yearly budget plan of the training program

·   Assist in training logistics and materials for all courses

·   Administer and monitor all training process

·   Meet regularly and work closely with Executive Director and Education Advisor

·   Write reports when required

·   All staff must to read, accept and sign the Child Protection Policy.

Qualifications

·       University degree in Economics, Business Management or other related fields

·       Experience in management/ adult trainings is a must

·       Certificate of pedagogy or Training of Trainer

·       Demonstrate the excellent capacity building knowledge/ experiences

·       Sound knowledge of human resource and Psychology

·       Experience working with marginalized youth/communities

·       Prior teaching experience is not required but preferred

·       Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and internet/email use

·       Strong organizational skills

·       Be an innovative and creative thinker

·       Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness

·       Have a strong work ethic and the ability to take initiative

·       Work well independently as well as part of a team

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate on experience.  SSF staff is provided with lunch and dinner daily and use of the organization’s bicycles, computers and Internet. 

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please send a cover letter and your CV to info@ssfcambodia.org and write “Advisor for Technical-Vocational Education” in the subject line.

Sewing and Tailoring Trainer

Introduction

Want to make a lasting impact on the lives of Cambodia’s most marginalized children?  Work with the Sao Sary Foundation (SSF).  SSF is a  youth-led, government recognized, grassroots NGO dedicated to preventing the violence, exploitation, and abuse of children.  SSF works on the ground through direct and active engagement with communities to identify at-risk children and provide sustainable assistance to both them and their families.  SSF’s Vocational Training Program enables youths and young adults to cultivate marketable skills.  As the Sewing and Tailoring Trainer you will provide individuals with the skills necessary for them to become agents of change in their own lives and that of their families and communities. 

Position Overview

The Sewing and Tailoring Trainer’s primary responsibility includes teaching the Sewing and Tailoring course to Sao Sary program participants.  The position is based in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu province.

Duties and Responsibilities

·       Teach the Sewing and Tailoring courses

·       Contribute to the development of the Sewing and Tailoring program curriculum.

·       Maintain the sewing and tailoring center.

·       Maintain and contribute to program records by documenting training session activities/projects, exams, and making note of progress, challenges, etc.

·       Write reports when required

·       All SSF staff must to read, accept and sign the Child Protection Policy.

Qualifications                

·       Certification from Sewing/Tailoring course

·       Khmer proficiency

·       At least 5 years working experience

·       Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and internet/email use

·       Strong organizational skills

·       Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness

·       Have a strong work ethic and the ability to take initiative

·       Work well independently as well as part of a team

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please send a cover letter and your CV to info@ssfcambodia.org and write “Sewing and Tailoring Trainer” in the subject line. Position is strongly welcomed to any intent candidate who has background as orphans or comes from very poor families.