Reports on Orphans into loving families in Cambodia

Project Report | Feb 26, 2025
Cambodia Update: Stories From the Field

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

Children Finding Their Place in Families

In 2024, we trained over 23 government social workers in Cambodia, equipping them with the skills to support children transitioning from orphanages into families. One social worker shared the joy of seeing a child blossom after joining a foster family:

“The child’s development progressed quickly. He communicates better and seems happier now than when he lived in an institution.”

By the end of the year, six children in Phnom Penh had been assessed for family placement, and five children in Siem Reap were thriving in their new homes. We spoke to some foster parents and they described the profound bonds they’ve formed:

“We love her as if she were our own.”

“When I returned home after being away, my child ran to hug me and said he missed me. It fills my heart with joy.”

These stories remind us that families - not orphanages - are where children heal, grow, and build futures full of hope.

Building a Community of Support

To find more families for children, we hosted recruitment events in schools, churches, and villages. Teachers, village leaders, and community members learned about the urgent need for foster care and pledged to spread awareness. In Siem Reap, 26 families stepped forward to explore fostering, with three approved to welcome children into their homes.

Empowering Foster Families

We held training sessions for foster parents, focusing on love, safety, and understanding children’s emotional needs. One foster mother reflected:

“The training helped me see how to raise children with kindness, not just strictness. I want to give them the warmth I didn’t have growing up.”

Looking Ahead

With the support of partners, communities, and advocates, we’re determined to keep pushing forward. A recent documentary screening hosted by the British Ambassador has sparked new interest from businesses and donors, strengthening our ability to reach more children.

Every child deserves a family. Thank you for your support in helping us see that vision become a reality. We’ll make sure to keep you updated as the project continues to progress.

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Nov 7, 2024
Significant Strides in Cambodia: 2024 Update

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

As the pilot stage of our project in Cambodia draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on and share the progress achieved over the past three years. Initially, our efforts focused on establishing relationships with government stakeholders and educating them on the importance of family-based care as an alternative to institutionalisation. Securing strong government buy-in is essential if the project is going to make an impact and become sustainable.

We are very pleased with the level of government commitment generated so far. Notable achievements include the government’s agreement to cover half of the family allowance costs and their approval for RCI workers to take on roles as para-social workers. The extent of progress achieved in these areas is truly significant.

This groundwork has paved the way for tangible outcomes in family placements. Thanks to our advocacy efforts and the dedication of our project team, five children are now growing up in nurturing families who will support them as they grow. In addition, 20 more children have been identified for placement, and our team is actively collaborating with government personnel to ensure suitable placements are found.

As the initial pilot phase concludes, we look ahead to the next phase: national roll-out. Our goal is to extend the successful model we developed in our initial project sites, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, to institutions across Cambodia. Our immediate plans involve establishing a new project site in Battambang, in northeastern Cambodia.

We remain deeply committed to supporting the government in ensuring that every child in Cambodia has the chance to grow up in a family environment where they are loved and supported. We look forward to keeping you informed as family placements gain momentum across the country.

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Jul 15, 2024
Project Progress in Cambodia so far

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

There are currently an estimated 16,000 children residing in institutions across Cambodia. In partnership with the Cambodian government, we have set out to transform their child welfare system by prioritising family-based care. We've been hard at work since 2022 and we're pleased with how the project is advancing. As things progress, we’ve taken a second to reflect on the work that’s been done so far, and how far we’ve come from where we started. To date, our work has impacted the child welfare system at three levels.

Systemic Reform:

We partnered with the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop a national family placement service model. By training local practitioners and establishing best practices, we are creating a sustainable foundation for the future national family placement programme. This ensures that government staff across the nation are euqipped with the knowledge needed for long-term success.

Our work has meant the government has committed to providing financial support for all children transitioning from residential care to family placement starting in 2025. This policy demonstrates a commitment to the well-being and stability of these children.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has also agreed to train residential care institution staff to act as 'para social workers.’ This strengthens the social care workforce, paving the way for family placement to become a sustainable alternative to institutional care.

Training and Consultation:

We conducted training sessions for senior government officials, emphasizing the benefits of family-based care over institutional care. This initiative has increased their commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and orphans.

Our training for government social workers ensures that social workers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care and support to children in need.

We have trained prospective family carers, with several already having children placed with them. Following successful recruitment campaigns, additional family carers are set to undertake our training programme this month.

Regular follow ups regarding casework with government staff reinforce our training activities, ensuring our best practice guidelines are followed.

Positive Impact for Children and Families:

A major milestone was the placement of the first child in family-based care by government social workers. We have also facilitated the placement of additional abandoned children with loving families, ensuring they now have the opportunity to thrive in nurturing and committed family environments.

Partnering with local government staff, we organized recruitment campaigns, raising awareness about the benefits of family-based care. Government staff are following up with interested community members.

Our partnership with the government is leading to the establishment of Cambodia's first family placement register. This register will mean a list of suitable foster families is kept on stand by, allowing for tailored placement decisions that promote children's well-being and stability.

We’re pleased with the progress that has been made so far, and we’re encouraged by how receptive the government has been in incorporating our methodology. As the project continues to progress, we will make sure to keep you updated!

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