Phare Ponleu Selpak

who we are

From a refugee camp initiative to a multi-angled, sustainability-through-arts project

Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS), meaning “the brightness of art”, originated in 1986 in Site 2 Refugee Camp on the Thai border. The idea of an artistic association that would use art and expression to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war emerged from simple drawing workshops for children in the camps. This novel idea continued after the refugees returned to their homeland and PPS was formally founded in 1994 by a group of former Site 2 children.

what we do

We aim to support community development and provide social and educational help to children through the revival of Khmer culture, which was significantly damaged during the Khmer Rouge regime. We focus on rehabilitating street kids, orphans, children in high-risk situations and their families. We believe that by re-investing in the Khmer culture, we can provide young people with an identity and build a better future.

Our Child Care Centre supports around 30 orphans and trafficking victims with basic needs such as food, clothing and healthcare while our social workers and caretakers provide psychological support and help them reintegrate back into school.

We are schooling more than 1,200 pupils, over 400 of whom study visual arts, music, circus, drama and dance for leisure or vocational training. For students who wish to become professional artists, we help them sell their creations by promoting their works through exhibitions and performances, giving them the opportunity to present their vision of modern Cambodian art.