Sangkheum Center for Children

who we are

Solidarity will change the world...

The Sangkheum Center for Children is a joint project between the Italian NGO Progetto Continenti and the Khmer Angkor Development Organisation (KADO). In the Khmer language, Sangkheum means ‘hope’. Since 2001, we have provided hope for over 274 orphaned, abused or neglected children.

what we do

Currently, 48 orphans stay in our Center, while we support another 58 children who still live in their communities and over 160 children in education and training. Our education program includes both general education and vocational training such as agriculture, English, Khmer culture, traditional dance and music, handicraft design, dressmaking, artistic iron welding and recreational activities such as painting and sports.

We also provide scholastic support and supervision to children between the ages of four and 17. We work with local partner organizations and village leaders to identify children most in need and the selected children live in individual houses with a stable caregiver to provide the feeling of a ‘family group’.

When the children reach the age of 16 or 17, staff members discuss with them what they would like to do once they leave the centre. From these discussions, we organize programs to help them develop specific skill sets which will provide them with a sustainable future. In an effort to do this, we started a new silk laboratory and iron workshop last year, allowing youth to practice their new skills.