Background

Cambodian Organization for Children and Development (COCD) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profitable and non-religious organization, creating lasting change in the lives of children in Cambodia. COCD was established in late 2007 by a group of Cambodian development professionals with technical supports from terre des homme Germany and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior in March 2008. COCD encourages social change to tackle the structural causes of poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.

Value

-Accountability - We meet our obligation to COCD, beneficiaries, target groups, partners and donors to use resources appropriately and ensure that programs will benefit the community -Transparency – We make information fully available within the organization and with COCD beneficiaries, target groups, partners and donors -Sharing - We jointly use information, resources and good practices -Solidarity – We unite amongst board, staff, beneficiaries, target groups, partners and donors with shared goals -Collaboration - We work together with board, staff, beneficiaries, target groups, partners and donors and share ideas, knowledge, skills and resources -Integrity - We act according to the values, beliefs and principles that we claim to hold

Mission

COCD aims to improve the quality of life of vulnerable and abused children in Cambodia through tackling structural causes of poverty, inequality, social exclusion and child abuse.

Vision

All children have quality social welfare and are free from all forms of abuse.

Project Summary

-COCD's focus on Social Empowerment is heavily related to encouraging participation. The goal is to increase the number of children and their families who contribute to planning and decision making in their own lives and the lives of others. COCD believes that social empowerment and active participation in one's own life and community leads to a healthy environment for all children. -COCD inspires Social Empowerment through activities designed to provide children and families with opportunities, confidence and relevance in their communities so that they may be active in decision making processes. +Some of these activities include: -Community empowerment forums -Empowerment and mobilization of at risk communities -Training provided to children, families and local authorities that encourage participation -Advocating for villagers so that they may feel more included within their communities. A primary focus of COCD is to ensure that children are protected and are given such an environment that they may properly develop and flourish. COCD works to see that children are educated, protected and cared for. -COCD strives to improve the capacity of children and their caretakers to provide protection, enhance child protection services and increase children's knowledge and skills to promote their own development. +Some key activities COCD facilitates are: -Child rights and protection trainings Partnerships with local authorities and service providers -Education scholarships -Development of child-friendly schools and preschools -Creation of social protection response and preparation plans +Poverty is highly correlated with adverse impacts on children, including poor health, low levels of education, malnourishment, higher rates of abuse, and high levels of migration. COCD works to reduce vulnerability of children through improved and sustainable socio-economic livelihoods for families and their communities. COCD strives to increase access to capital and resources, improve vocational/income generating knowledge and skills, and improved access to water and sanitation services. +Some specific activities that COCD facilitates are: -Self-help groups -Cow and buffalo banks -Vegetable and crop gardens -Help in the development of business skills -Agriculture related trainings -Local income generating activities -Building capacity of health services Vocational training +As a part of COCD's new strategic direction, an important component to the advancement of development work is also ensuring that COCD is equipped with the sufficient, staff, funding, direction and passion to create the most significant achievements possible. By bulding the best possible version of COCD, programs will be of the highest quality and monitoring and evaluation will produce the most efficient, clear results.