Interview from Cambodia with National Director

Operating in Cambodia for ten years (since 1999) SOS Children Cambodia, this field interview from Phon Penh, Cambodia is between Amit Kumar, and the National Director of SOS Children Cambodia, Chea Phon.

Amit Kumar: Meet Chea Phon, the young director of SOS Children Cambodia. It's almost a year since he assumed this responsibility as the deputy national director there with the youngest SOS national association in Asia (in charge of SOS Children's Villages Cambodia). Although he's new in the SOS (Children) family, his vision is clear (about SOS Children's child care concept) and is striving to take SOS (Children) Cambodia forward.

How are the projects running in Cambodia?

Chea Phon: Well, actually there are three SOS Children's Villages in Cambodia - in three different provinces. One is at Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia; another is at Siem Reap near world famous Angkor Watt temple, and the latest one at Battambang known as the 'colonial city'. These are home to over 450 children who are in the care of professional SOS mothers (supported by SOS aunties and co-workers). These (SOS Children's Villages) are running very well and the children are healthy and doing well in their studies. Six youths opted for vocational training in automobiles this year and two youths went to University for higher education.

Amit Kumar: You have just returned from Bangladesh. Could you share with us what you have experienced there?

Chea Phon: I have been to Bangladesh for 10 days to get experience and be exposed to the various projects there, as SOS (Children) Bangladesh is one of the oldest national associations in Asia. I visited Dhaka and Khulna. At Dhaka I visited the SOS School, SOS Children's Village, SOS Mother Training Centre, and SOS Vocational Training Centre, and at Khulna visited the SOS Family Strengthening Programme which is running very effectively. At Khulna, I met the FSP (family strengthening programme) beneficiaries, discussed the concept and also got to know the success stories.

Amit Kumar: So it was a good learning experience for you…

Chea Phon: Yes, I am new in SOS Children, and this was good opportunity for me to learn from the established SOS Children national associations.

Amit Kumar: You are aware that this year SOS Children's Villages is celebrating 60th anniversary. You must have some plans…

Chea Phon: Yes, definitely. (I'm aware) and SOS Children's Village Cambodia is also celebrating the 10th anniversary this year, so simultaneously we will be celebrating both events. SOS Children Cambodia was established in 1999. We are preparing ourselves and have to finalise the programmes later.

SOS Children has been working in Cambodia since 2001 and has three unique children's villages at Phnom Penh, Angkor-Siem Reap and Battambang caring for more than children.

You can support children in Cambodia by becoming a child sponsor.