G Market - Copion Korean Volunteers at Riverkids

On June 29-30, a group of volunteers from G Market- Copion, Korea came to Riverkids and conducted some exciting and enjoyable activities with the children. They also performed some Korean traditional dance for the kids, Riverkids staff and people in the surrounding community to enjoy as well.

In addition, the volunteers donated 600 US dollars for 120 sets of school uniforms, stationary and several boxes of clothes to Riverkids. With this donation, Riverkids will be able to keep our program moving forward and we come one step closer to achieving Riverkids mission to prevent the sale of children.

Due to poverty, domestic violence, neglect, child labor, drug abuse and sexual abuse, the children lose the opportunity for school and lack the care and warmth usually provided by families. The charitable work of the volunteers from Korea at Riverkids provided the opportunity to give enjoyment, compassion and love to the children, and encourages them enormously to build self-confidence for a better education and for better lives in the future.

On behalf of Riverkids Foundation, I am very grateful to all volunteers and especially the G Market- Copion 09th Volunteers who recently spent time and gave such generous donations to Riverkids.

Drug and anti-trafficking campaign at Riverkids Community

On June 26, 2009, the Government of Cambodia and NGOs celebrated the International day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking at Nation Olympic Stadium under the Prime Ministry Hun Sen as Chairperson.

Riverkids Foundation Organization also had an opportunity to participate in the International event with eight National and International non-profit NGOs such as Hosea Ministry, Licado, Teen Challenge of Cambodia, The Health Care Center for Children, Hagar, and other church team members celebrated the event at Hosea Ministry located in Toul Tompong, Khan Chamcar morn, Phnom Penh.

There were 6 staff members and 32 Get Ready Girls of Riverkids that participated in the International events. Before we went to Hosea Ministry, Riverkids had organized a match around Riverkids community by dividing in two groups; each group had 3 staff members and 16 Get ready girls to deliver leaflets, Information sheets about the Human trafficking and sexual abuse, drug abuse and the law of Anti-Human Trafficking to people living in the Riverkids community around the Psa Touch Village, the motor taxi-drivers, businessmen, all the people from across the road. They responded back to us with great smiles, they were interested in our match, happy and showed us their willingness to be involved against human trafficking and sexual abuse.

After that, we went to Hosea Ministry by Tuk tuk to celebrate the event with other partnership NGOs, representatives of the church from India, and it was a great honor from the Toul Tompong Commune to participate in the event.

At Hosea organization, Mr.David Fisher, Director of Hosea ministry and on behalf of all participants addressed us, saying that combating Human Trafficking and drug Abuse is the duty and obligation of every one, especially the parents who play very important roles to manage, supervise and advise their children to avoid drugs because the they are valued assets and human resources to develop the community and the country in the future. The program was finished at 12.00am with the valued and meaningful agreement that all the parties are happy and satisfied and willing to for another year.

Written by Cheang Phea

Senior Assistant

Of Riverkids

2008 finances are up, up.... UP!

You can download them in PDFs or as Excel spreadsheets from our financial records on our website.

They’re drafts because we have about a dozen unidentified donations, categories (so we can track spending) and everything to get audited externally. I’m handing them over to a volunteer bookkeeper to finish off and audit.

Thank you to all our donors who made 2008 possible - we somehow managed to raise enough every month for our work and more than double the children we reached.

One girl's story

Some neighbours came to Riverkids about a girl in danger. The photograph above is of her most recent injuries, deep burns all over her legs.

She was born in a rural province to farmers. A trafficker came to her village when she was a young teenager and promised her a 'good job'. She ended up locked up in a Phnom Penh brothel for a year, being raped, starved and beaten.

A family member paid to rescue her, and she managed to get a job at a garment factory. The factory went bankrupt several months later.

She thought she had found safety in a job as a housekeeper for a family. It paid only $35 a month, but she would have room and board.

Her employers locked her up, beat her whenever she made a mistake with electrical cords and the iron. She wasn't ever paid, and she was hidden away so no-one could help her.

The three neighbours rescued her and brought her to Riverkids last week. We've found her a safe place to stay, and are working with another NGO to help her file charges. Because she's a minor, her family needs to be traced to press charges.

Beyond desperately needed medical care, clothes and food, she needs most of all compassion. Her life has been heartbreaking, but maybe now, we hope, she'll find a truly safe place to live, and a job with dignity.

With paper jewelry into a brighter future

Our since 2005 operating anti child-trafficking organization Riverkids is constantly endeavored to improve itself and to provide even more help to our nearby community.

The fact that a lot of our young kids are not able to attend school, because their domestic situation is too tensed, makes us very sad. Instead of having the privilege to path their way into a bright future by receiving good efficient education, they are forced to search the streets for rubbish, to earn a minimum income by selling the collected waste.
With the help of the generous donor of ‘Oxfam Quebec’ Riverkids had the possibility to start a craft project, which turned out to be very successful.
We selected ten highly motivated women out of the community, who were hardly able to feed their families in the past. Unemployment, illness, gambling and the everyday fear of not being able to survive with the existing financial funds accompanied those families.

Our 15 ‘Get Ready’ girls and the selected women were trained, over the period of four months in three weekly sessions, how to manufacture small craft items, such as bags (e.g. telephone bags, waist bags), flowers (paper and cloth), toys, greeting cards, wallets and paper bracelets and necklaces.
With the donor of ‘Oxfam Quebec’ Riverkids was able to provide all the raw materials: papers, fabrics, glue, scissors, pencils, etc.
The result of the diligent and patient work of the participating women and girls are high-quality craft items that are sold both in Phnom Penh and overseas. Ninety per cent of the money earned while selling the items on the ‘Russian Market’, ‘Changivile Guesthouse’, etc. is directly supporting the participants of the project and therefore securing a better perspective for the whole family.
The help of an extra-income prevents the kids of collecting rubbish on the streets and gives them the chance to attend school instead.
We are also very proud to announce that the Riverkids Craft Project has been asked to produce 800 necklaces and bracelets for the Cambodian ‘Craftnetwork’. Further target groups are buyers overseas in Singapore and Australia, and visitors and volunteers of the Riverkids project. Our partners from ‘Cambodia House’ in Australia just recently purchased 250 necklaces.
Additionally, supported by Riverkids staff numerous families have been encouraged to start their own micro businesses. They are now manufacturing craft items themselves, which is not only a sustainable source of income but also teaches soft skills such as responsibility, diligence, determination, patience and the ability to work in a team.

The project helps to change the attitude of the participants and their families. It returns the feeling of being utterly needed, boosts their confidence and provides a proper task to successfully structure everyday life. Besides, it dramatically decreases the risks of child-trafficking, which is our main focus.
However, we are constantly trying to improve our projects and therefore would be pleased for any propositions of new business contacts and sale opportunities both in Cambodia and overseas to provide a brighter future for Psar Toch Community.
Elisabeth, volunteer at Riverkids

USC volunteers with Riverkids

on the 25th May 2009, a group of USC MBA students, lead by Professor Joe arrived in Phnom Penh to conduct a three-day-volunteer program with the Riverkids Foundation training the staff, introducing the girls to cooking using solar power and leading the kids in kite-making.

On the first day, they met all key staff of Riverkids then we discussed around some important topics included: communicating with stakeholders, effective communication, Evaluating subordinates and superiors.

On the second day, the USC students showed the staff and the girls in the community how to use solar power to cook food. They brought their own materials for cooking such as pots, food and solar “CooKits”.

After laying the pots, full of vegetables and meat, inside the “CooKits” in the sun for 3 hours, food could be served. “Wow! I can’t believe the sun light can be used to cook. I can’t believe this,” exclaimed Srey Mom, one of Riverkids’ Get Ready Girls, saying that it was the first time she had seen such cooking.

The last day of volunteering at Riverkids, the USC students had a happy time teaching the kids to make kites. There were 30 children involved in this activity. To fly out their new kites, all of them got on three Tuk Tuk to the gardens near the Royal Palace. The wide, open grounds and windy day were the ideal setting for a test light. Cheering and laughing made by the groups of people playing around them.

They also had opportunity to have lunch outdoor and went a super market with all USC volunteers for ice cream. It was really amazing day for the kids.

The 3 days the USC students have spent at Riverkids have been invaluable to students, staff and children alike and will be a treasured memory for all for a long time to come. Riverkids’ staffs really appreciate their kind hearted deeds and would like to say “Thank You So Much” for their donation of time and money us. The staff and children are looking forward to meeting them again. Also a million thanks to Sister Dale Edmonds, Riverkids Founder and our grateful donors.

Written by Som Rithy
Coordinator of Education
Riverkids Foundation

Volunteers’ Last Day with Children Made a Trip to Phnom Penh Waterpark

Riverkids: Thursday 09 May 2009. Our two English volunteers, who took part in an I-To-I project, arranged to take the children from their English classes to Phnom Penh WaterPark Swimming Pool on their last day at Riverkids Foundation. Carol and Laura had been teaching English to 25 kids for three weeks.

On their first day, Carol and Laura were introduced to Riverkids’ mission and our activities with the vulnerable children in the slum.

They said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer just a little help to this worthwhile and necessary project. The staffs carry out an amazing job and the children are friendly and keen to learn – already addressing us as Teacher, and introducing themselves. We’re really happy to be here.”

The volunteers were given a lesson and activity schedule. As well as English classes, they also taught arts and crafts, computers and had fun with the children, playing games with them and creating much excitement in the school. They also taught the younger children in Blum and Steven House – allowing the children to draw, create art, play games and sing kids’ songs.

Carol and Laura arranged to take their classes to the water park on their last day – paying for the trip out of their own budgets. The children were very excited and were amazed when they arrived at the swimming pool. One of them exclaimed: “Ah… water! I want to play in it. Teacher! Can you swim? Can you teach me?”

For many of the children it was their first time to the water park. They really enjoyed the trip and have said that they would love to go again. They spent hours swimming and laughing, splashing about in the water and sliding down the waterslides.

Carol and Laura really enjoyed the day and loved to see the kids, who usually spend their time collecting garbage and who sometimes lose hope, enjoying themselves so much.

They also said they hoped their time, support and money were valuable to the children, because positive activities are what the slum children really need to improve their confidence and give them hope for the future.

Finally, they all stopped their exciting and unforgettable activities at 4pm and then they made their way back to Riverkids.

Riverkids would like to say “Thank you so much” to Carol and Laura for their great and kind donation of time and teaching English to our children. Their brilliant behaviors will stay in Riverkids staff and children’s hearts.


Location: Phnom Penh, 11 May 2009
Written: Som Ritthy
Position: Education Coordinator, Riverkids Foundation

First Hand Volunteers with Riverkids at the zoo

On the 8th of May the First Hand Volunteers from Singapore, took the kindergarten children from Riverkids to visit the zoo at the mountain.





The children got to see real lions, monkeys, crocodiles, birds, bears and many other animals. It was an eye opening experience for the children, who rarely have anopportunity to leave the city, to see these animals themselves at the zoo.





The First Hand Volunteers used to be known as ‘Woman on Mission’ but have since changed their name to ‘First Hand Volunteers’ after their third trip to Riverkids.





Without the generous support from all of you, this would never have been possible. We at Riverkids are very grateful to have you as Riverkids’ supporters.





Written by Soklee
Coordinator of volunteers
Riverkids Cambodia

Choir Song at Riverkids

Phnom Penh: 20 May 2009. Riverkids started choir singing training for the kids, which was conducted by Fine Arts and Dance University students in Phnom Penh. The children were so excited and very proud of themselves to be participating in the training.

The choir training is organized to support the children to learn how to value their culture, promote self-esteem and inject cheerfulness and hope into their lives.

Riverkids has some very useful extra-curricular activities such as break dancing, traditional dancing, choir songs, Saturday sport training etc.

We at Riverkids are so pleased to see children who used to be neglected and abused now so active, achieving brilliantly and full of hope.

Thanks to Sister Dale Edmond’s efforts and all the other generous donors who support Riverkids.



Phnom Penh, May 21, 2009
Writer: Mr. Som Ritthy
Position: Education Coordinator, Riverkids Foundation

Condolences to Sister Dale's Family

Dear Sister Dale Edmonds,

We heard about your father, Mr. Roger P. Edmonds’ passing away. On behalf of the ‘Riverkids’ staff, the children and the parents in the ‘Riverkids’ community, we would like to share in your grief and sorrow and offer our heartfelt condolences to you all at this sad and difficult time.

Mr. Roger P. Edmonds has been a valuable donor to ‘Riverkids’ who has contributed much of his own money towards our mission since the very establishment of the Foundation. Due to the major contributions from Mr. Roger P. Edmonds, we have titled one project the “Alexandra Project” following his referenced name.

As a result of the supportive funding from Mr. Roger P. Edmonds, his family and other generous donors and the management of ‘Riverkids’, around 300 vulnerable children gain an education and develop physically and psychologically. They have been given much hope and aspiration for their futures for which we will always be deeply grateful.

Although Mr. Roger P. Edmonds has passed away, his generous cause will live on with the ‘Riverkids Foundation’ and the lives of the Cambodian kids past, present and future.

We all wish that his soul may rest in peace.

Phy Sophon

Representative of Riverkids Cambodia