Overview

All services by Damnok Toek are provided in a holistic way in order to be able to support vulnerable children in Cambodia in th best way possible.

Background

Goutte d'eau Switzerland started to work in Cambodia in January 1997 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Vocational Training and Youth (MOSVY). It assisted in building up a center for vulnerable (street) children in Neak Loeung, Prey Veng Province. Since 2001, the programme in Neak Loueng is running independently as a local NGO registered with the Ministry of Interior. children cambodia In January 1999, following another request by MOSVY, Goutte d'eau Switzerland started a project aiming at the rehabilitation of substance-abusing street children in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey Province. Realizing that the Thai authorities deported several hundred trafficked Cambodian children back to Poipet every month, Goutte d'eau Switzerland started a collaboration with the IOM (International Organisation for Migration), UNICEF, MOSVY and other agencies to set up a structure offering support to these children and try to break the cycle of unsafe migration and trafficking. In July 2000, UNICEF requested Goutte d'eau to work with vulnerable children and their families at a resettlement area 6 kilometers from Poipet city. The activities at both locations in Poipet have since been expanded and consolidated. In 2003, Damnok Toek Poipet was officially registered as a local Cambodian NGO at the Ministry of Interior and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MOSVY in April 2005. The MOU was renewed on the 30th June 2008. As part of Damnok Toek Cambodia, a new shelter was opened in Phnom Penh in 2003, to support children living with intellectual or physical disabilities. Most of these children were referred from the Damnok Toek centres in neak Loeung and Poipet. In 2012, Damnok Toek Cambodia and Damnok Toek Poipet began the process required to merge into a single organisation called Damnok Toek (Goutte d'eau).

Mission

Our mission aims at working with the most vulnerable and marginalized children and youth in Cambodia. With the support of communities, government and civil society representatives, Damnok Toek identifies and implements responses to enhance the access to a better future for these children. Damnok Toek is non-religious, non-political, non-profit and non-discriminating organization. Local religious, cultural and historical traditions are integrated into our every day work with the children.

Vision

Our vision is for vulnerable children and youth (including victims of trafficking/unsfae migration, street working and/or living children, children with disabilities and other children that have become victim of exploitation or abuse) to have the capacity and opportunities to an equal realization of their rights and access to basic needs as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.