Cambodia

National elections in mid-2018 kept the ruling party in power. Despite a high voter turnout, many international governments refused to recognize the election’s validity because of potential corruption. The country is in the middle of review by the international community because of concerns that human rights and freedoms, especially in labor, aren’t being upheld. Positively, Cambodia’s higher education sector is attempting improvements like better access to and the quality of higher education. Overall, Cambodia is experiencing some instability. Concerns including malnourishment, poverty, lack of education, and child protection remain throughout the country for the most vulnerable families. Advocates are petitioning the government to make nation-wide changes to support those in need. Thanks to the generosity of our partners, children and families in need are getting support. In 2018, tens of thousands of people gained access to clean water and sanitation facilities to help improve their health in our project areas. Local health workers were trained to assess and treat kids suffering from illnesses, and malnutrition in particular. We’re also helping train teachers on how to better teach reading in hundreds of schools. And parents and caregivers are learning the importance of early childhood development for their kids’ education. Through child protection programs, communities were empowered to take ownership of systems to keep the most vulnerable people safe. We also equipped young people to lovingly transform their neighborhoods through youth-led community service projects, life skills training, and adult mentor relationships. Along with partners, we’re working at national levels to hold the government accountable to address vulnerable children’s needs through policies that keep them safe and support their well-being.