These are poor little
boys I raised during my stay in Wat Preah Puth Mean Bun, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of
Cambodia. They are innocent; they should have been raised well in the society
where they were born. Yet, they were left behind by the society or at least
their parents. After watch this video, do not forget to pay a respect by
clicking “Like or Share” to tell the world that we need help for poor children,
especially in Cambodia. My last comment is that governance and human security
in Cambodia need very much to be strengthened here and now.
Education is officially
free in Cambodia and available to all, though there are many costs, (both
official and unofficial), and other barriers, that prevent children from
attending. Children go to school for half a day, either mornings or afternoons,
and a credible 80%+ of children enroll for primary school. Costs of school
uniforms, books and other materials, the need to travel greater distances, and
unofficial fees, mean that only 26% start lower secondary school and just 9%
start upper secondary school; (these are the averages for both sexes? The
situation is far worse in rural areas and for girls). Teachers? Salaries are
only $30 to $50 per month and they cannot survive on this so are forced to
charge unofficial attendance fees, or fees for extra tuition, or for
examination results etc. Such fees are beyond the means of the poorest
families, and as children get older they are needed to work at home, so the
problem is doubly difficult.
Completion of the
secondary school certificate, and increasingly, being able to speak, read, and
write English, are important prerequisites for getting a decent job. Without
basic literacy and numeric skills it is difficult to get any job. A lack of
education locks many people into a perpetual poverty cycle: no education means
no job; no job means no money; no money means no education.
Cambodia is a land of
stark contrasts. It has stunning natural beauty, the awe-inspiring temples and
monuments of a great civilization, unique ecosystems, and has made considerable
progress from the dark days of the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970’s.
Nevertheless, in common with many developing countries, the benefits from this
progress are not evenly spread. It is still one of the world’s poorest nations
and grinding poverty is a fact of life for many people.
Children growing up
without the protection of their families can often find themselves the victims
of crime and in contact with the law. Over 23% of Cambodia’s population lives
in the south-eastern provinces of Kampong Cham, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng. This
region is one of the poorest in the country. Many parents are forced to migrate
to find work, and have to leave their children behind. Girls and boys in these
areas are growing up alone, with no one to take care of them, and are often
coming into contact with the law – either as victims of crime or as the
accused.
A large number of crimes
are committed whilst children are protecting themselves and those close to them
from violence. Some will have been forced to steal by older children also
living on the streets, or by adults keen to exploit their vulnerability. Crimes
against children are rarely brought to the attention of the authorities.
If children are detained
for a crime the Cambodian justice system treats them as adults. It doesn’t
matter if they’re innocent or guilty, how young they are or the nature of the
crime, they will be immediately detained.
Separated from their families these children are confused, frightened
and have no one to help them
If they are convicted of
a crime, their sentences are often very harsh even for small offences, with no
options for non-custodial alternatives and they will be kept with adult
prisoners. Inmates are often forced to live and sleep in one cramped space,
with very basic facilities and sanitation, and food is always limited. Children
are particularly vulnerable to attacks from their fellow prisoners and even the
guards who should be protecting them.
