Overview

Friends of the Orphan Children Organization (FOCO) is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that began in 2010 when Mr. Em Ra saw the urgent need to give some of Cambodia’s poorest children a future not dependent on begging. He and his dedicated staff of volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide education and a safe home to over 55 children, aged five to seventeen. Many of these children have lost one or both parents or come from families who cannot afford to feed them. We also provide free English classes each evening to the local children in the Mondul III village who cannot afford to attend English run by the private schools. FOCO is not government funded and is run solely on donations. Each month is a new challenge to pay for food, medication and other expenses for the children. Even so, FOCO remains hopeful of one day expanding to become an Alternative Children's Care Center, providing care to more children and continuing to provide free education to more students.

Background

Friends of the Orphan Children Organization (FOCO) was established as a local Non-Government Organization (NGO) in 2012 by Mr. Em Ra and his volunteer staff, who wanted to give some of Cambodia’s poorest children a future not dependent on begging. They have worked tirelessly with the help of local people and foreign donors to provide education to over 100 children, aged five to seventeen. Many of these children have lost one or both parents or come from families who cannot afford to send them to school. Many children in Cambodia are never given the opportunity to attend school. For those who are given this chance, they value it deeply. Our students are extremely dedicated to their studies and come to class every day without fail, ready and eager to learn. With the help of local and sometimes foreign volunteers, we teach classes in English and Khmer. The Teachers also initiate class discussions on health issues such as nutrition, general hygiene and drug education. Moral education is also a big part of the children's development. We aim to instill self-respect and respect for others, which will enable them to become a successful part of the wider community. It is a struggle every month to pay for food and medication for the childrens home as well as supplying teaching materials. Even so, we remain hopeful of one day expanding the school so we can provide free education to even more students. We depend entirely on donations to cover the monthly expenses of the school and childrens' home and to provide the students with pens, pencils, notebooks and study aids.

Value

N/A

Mission

Educate the children and adults in Cambodia by providing them with the skills necessary to obtain and hold a job, thus supporting themselves and their families. For those children who have no one to provide for them, we aim to provide them with a happy, healthy home and food and better education for tomorrow. Empower the women in our community by providing them with some skills and support them as necessary to increase their income generation.

Vision

- For all children to have access to a higher quality of education - For women to have the skills necessary to further their income generation to support themselves and their families - For Orphans to have good shelter, food, emotional support, care, medication and better education.

Goal

1. To provide an education encompassing morality, environmental issues and health care. 2. To improve the living conditions for orphaned children and the poor families in our community. 3. To promote an understanding of human rights and to end domestic violence. 4. To educate the children living in this area to increase their future opportunities. 5. To teach the skills necessary for young adults to flourish.

Project Summary

1. Alternative Children's Care Centre 2. FOCO English Center 3. Support Schooling Project