Friends International NGO- Cambodia
FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL
CAMBODIA NGO
A super brief introduction and snapshot to the wonderful programs within Friends International and the ChildSafe programs.
Friends International and Social Cycles
We’re proud to connect with Friends international and allow socially conscious travellers the opportunity to learn more about this wonderful NGO and their fantastic programs. Social Cycles believes that the best way to truly understand a country and it’s culture is to simply ask questions to local experts. Museums and monuments can tell you about yesterday, but only people from organizations like Friends International can tell you what tomorrow looks like.
What challenges are Friends International trying to solve?
Hundreds of millions of children and youth are living on the margins of society around the world. In order to survive, these children often undertake dangerous activities such as scavenging, begging, construction and sex work, making them highly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Most of them have little or no access to basic services such as water and electricity, health or education. We support these children and youth (as well as their parents and their communities) to empower them to build a brighter future and become productive citizens of their country.
History: How and why Friends International began…
Friends-International was born on the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia in August 1994, in the aftermath of years of genocide and conflict in the country. Founder and Executive Director, Sebastien, and two of his friends who were traveling through Phnom Penh at this time, were deeply moved by the plight of the street children and decided to find safe alternatives for them. By listening to the needs of the children and the communities, they developed an innovative and creative approach to provide holistic services to marginalized children, youth and their families so that they can become productive members of society and their country.
Impact: 5 Key Facts
- Supporting 8,000 children to attend school every year
- Providing vocational training and employment to more than 1,500 youth every year
- Helping 10,000 parents each year to better care for their children
- Running 14 social businesses to provide hands-on training to young people and increase self-sufficiency
- Generating awareness of child protection issues to more than 24 million people through the creation of the ChildSafe Movement
The videos that explain everything
Fast Facts
Most frequent questions and answers
What programs do you run?
We work in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia and Switzerland and with over 50 partners throughout the world. Our programs include social services/outreach, school reintegration, vocational training, access to employment, family reintegration and child protection via the ChildSafe Movement – our international initiative empowers everyone to protect children via awareness campaigns, training, business certifications, ChildSafe hotline reporting & response system in 13 Southeast Asian cities, and creation of ChildSafe Agents (volunteers in the community and businesses to be our ‘eyes and ears’ when we can’t be there).
How big is the NGO?
Across all countries, we count approximately 500 staff.
How are you funded?
37% social businesses, 26% private grants (foundations & corporates), 26% public grants and 11% private donations.
What difference would a US$150 donation make?
$150 could place one youth in employment, to become independent and support themselves and their family.
What difference would US$1000 make?
$1,000 would support the entire training of one student to learn new skills and be able to find a meaningful, productive and safe job.