The need
The history of Cambodia is stained with trauma, turmoil and warfare. In more recent times, civil war in the 1970s led to the deaths of over two million nationals, during the reign of the notorious Khmer Rouge. They took control of the country in 1975 and forced it back into a subsistence lifestyle and banished western medicine. Thousands died from disease, starvation and brutal executions.
Warfare between the Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouge began in 1978 and continued into the 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, elections and peace talks were held, which finally brought relative stability to a nation broken - politically, socially, economically and culturally. Cambodia is still struggling to rebuild from the horrors of its past, still heavily dependant on foreign aid, corruption in practically every level of government and society, with a serious deficit in the nations brain pool due to the genocide taken place during the Pol Pot regime.
- More than 1/3 of Cambodians live below the poverty line (UNICEF).
- Cambodia has the highest infant and under-five mortality rate in South East Asia (UNICEF).
- 45% of Cambodian children show symptoms of stunting, due to malnutrition (UNICEF).
- It is estimated that 130 000 Cambodians are living with HIV/AIDS (UNICEF).
What we do
Destiny Rescue undertakes a variety of projects in Cambodia.
Child Sponsorship - In the slums of Phnom Penh, Destiny Rescue supports underprivileged and ‘at risk’ children through child sponsorship. Children are provided with an education, school supplies, health care, clothing and other essentials. Families receive hygiene education, training and support to become self sufficient.
Loans - Struggling families can be provided with loans, allowing them to start up small businesses, such as selling fruit, food items and shoe repairs. A small loan can assist a family in becoming self sufficient.
Homework Club - Destiny Rescue has set up a homework club, providing students with extra help with their education. Many children start school late and struggle to keep up in their learning. The homework club enables children to be taught by teachers, after school hours and receive the assistance they require to continue their education.
Daycare Centre – A Daycare Centre has been set up in the slums of Phnom Penh, to provide parents with a safe place to leave their children while they go to work. Parents are often forced to leave their small children alone in the slums, while they go to work to provide for their family. This has tragically resulted in the drowning deaths of a number of children, who have fallen into the putrid waters below their shack homes.
Rescue Program - Destiny Rescue provides much needed care and support for young girls and young women who have been prostituted and abused. In partnership with other agencies in the Destiny Rescue Network, young girls are sought out and rescued. Girls who are being abused are cared for in one of the many Destiny Rescue homes, where the girls are provided a safe environment, where they are supported and cared for after a life of trauma. The girls receive education and training to enable them to gain employment, such as hospitality or sewing. The rescued girls are slowly integrated back into the community, in a safe location and are given the chance to live a normal life.
How you can help
We need you!
Volunteer your time and skills to fight with us to end child slavey and alleviate poverty – forever! Whether it is finding sponsors for abused/poor children, hosting a fund raiser or giving a presentation at your church/work/youth group... To get involved - click here
Donate
To sponsor a "Rescued child" – click here
To sponsor an "at risk" child – click here
To sponsor a child in poverty – click here
To make a general donation – click here
