Struggle and Progress

The photos above are of the same girl, Manin, taken about 5 years apart. Before, an orphan working at Steung Meanchey Dump. Today, an international school student, fluent in English, idealistic, outgoing, hopeful about life. Center for Children's Happiness orphanage is summed up in these two photos---struggle and progress. And then...yet again more struggle.

This issue is perhaps time for a brief overview of CCH, it's struggle, progress and challenges for the future.

A Quick Look at CCH, 2002 to Present......

In November 2002, CCH was founded with 16 children, with all children living at what is now called “CCH 1”.

During the next 2 years, enrollment grew slowly, to about 35 or 40 by the end of 2004.

By the first part of 2005, pressures from many needy children at Steung Meanchey dump led to the founding of a second facility about 6 kilometers from CCH 1, known as “CDCC.”

By October, 2005, the total enrollment at CCH 1 & CCH/CDCC together was about 75 children, half at each facility.

In In In August 2006, another facility was opened within walking distance of CCH 1, known as “CCH 2”. The boys at the overcrowded CCH 1 were moved to the new CCH 2 facility, which also had a downstairs area for computer training and sewing classes.

By the end of 2007, the total enrollment of CCH had swelled to just over 140 children, borne on a big construction push at both CCH 1 and CDCC to create more dormitory and classroom space. By December 2007, several older teens were ready to move on to a transitional facility which would help them gradually integrate into the larger Cambodian society.

In January 2008, an apartment house was rented about 3 kilometers north of CCH 1, to house up to 16 graduating CCH youth (age 18 and above). In the meantime, a small lot was purchased next to CCH 2 which will be the site of a permanent Youth House facility capable of accommodating both boys and girls.

CCH Today....

The total population of CCH 1, CCH 2, CDCC and Youth House taken together is currently about 150. Further expansion seems unlikely at present because Cambodia is experiencing a wild inflation due to foreign speculative money flooding the country. So future construction or land purchases will become increasingly expensive. In addition, the current funding for General Operating Expenses can only sustain the present number of children. However, within these limitations, CCH is thriving, and making a crucial difference in the lives of the children in its charge.

Kids are studying...

teaching others who are less fortunate....

eating well....

making friends.....

attending school.....

welcoming visitors....

learning thankfulness......

and preparing to take off into the future.

CCH Tomorrow....

Despite the joy evident at CCH, Cambodia is a hard country to live in. Millions exist on the edge of survival. At the same time, Phnom Penh and the tourist areas around Siem Riep and Angkor Wat are experiencing a boom from tourists and foreign investment (largely from South Korea). The extremes in wealth and poverty will probably widen in the near future, as wealth (and land ownership) continues to concentrate in the hands of fewer and fewer people.

The long term prospects for CCH are still hopeful, but not without hazards. To reach true sustainability, CCH will need to achieve two very big goals: 1) Purchase of a sizeable piece of land for a permanent facility to replace CDCC, which is leased rather than owned, and 2) Build up a sizeable endowment---in the millions of dollars, just like educational institutions everywhere---to assure General Operating Income into the indefinite future.

Will CCH be able to expand in the future to serve even more children? We can hope so, but it is an expensive proposition. Land prices have doubled in the past 6 months. Construction materials have risen 25% in just one month. Even the price of food is rising, so that the budget for General Operating Expenses (the basics) is now about $140,000 per year, or almost $1,000 per child.

Yet the needs of Cambodian children are pressing. The success of CCH contrasts sharply with the continuing failure of the surrounding society, where the flow of needy orphans seems endless. Because CCH has proven itself as an effective model for caring for Cambodian children, there is always good hope that we will be able to attract large funders in the future, to help even more desperate children. But for now, we have quite enough to do to maintain the 150 children already within the protective confines of CCH. Struggle, then progress, then more struggle.

Want to make a donation to CCH? Click here to find out how.

Contributors to this report:

Content: Mech Sokha & Elia Van Tuyl

English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl

Photos: Chin Sayorn, Elia Van Tuyl, Keo Sinath