The Speech of Mr. Sophon Phy at the Fun Fair

The speech of the Cambodian Executive Director of Riverkids Foundation
At the Project Fun Fair Organized by Riverkids Foundation and Singapore Airline –SIA
On 11 July, 2007 at Phsar Touch Village, Toul Sangke Quarter,
Reussey Keo District, Phnom Penh City, Cambodia

Hello His Excellency, the representative of Governor of Phnom Penh City,
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today Riverkids Foundation is cooperating with Singapore Airline to organize a Fun Fair for all of the kids at Phsar Touch Community including different games and toys. It will be lead by volunteers of Cambodian and Singapore.

On behalf of Riverkids Foundation, Singapore Airline – SIA, all volunteers, and families of the students sponsored by the Riverkids Project, I would like to express my sincere and warm welcome to His Excellency, Distinguished Guests, and Friends who are present at the Fun Fair today.
Your presence is encouraging and shows your commitment to the well-being of the children, especially the vulnerable children of Cambodia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Taking this opportunity, I would like to mention briefly the background of Riverkids Foundation. It was in the year of 2001 that Singaporean Family, Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Dale Edmonds first came to Cambodia to adopt. (They now have 4 adopted children from Cambodia. However, soon after the adoption they realized that if their children were not adopted, they would have been sold by their own parents. The mother of the children had been involved in child trafficking in Cambodia. In addition, before being adopted, the children lacked nutrition. They were skinny and untidy like street children. Now, under the warm care of Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Dale Edmonds, the kids are growing up healthy and as smart as other Singapore children. Many Cambodian children still suffer because of trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, drug abuse, Aids, disease, malnutrition and so on. All the reasons mentioned above encouraged Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Dale to donate their own money and raise funds from other charities in Singapore and overseas to support Cambodian children. Moreover, they encourage me – Sophon Phy to establish and register Riverkids Foundation and to carry out the project as a local non government organization with its mission to work hand in hand with other NGOs to prevent child trafficking through providing education to vulnerable children in Cambodia.

Since Riverkids Foundation has been established and received its official license on June 12, 2007 from the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia, 104 kids have been enrolled and are being supported. Those including:
- 40 kids enrolled in kindergarten organized by Riverkids Foundation.
- 50 kids enrolled in Grade School organized by Riverkids Foundation
- 14 young teenagers enrolled in Riverkids Get Ready Vocational Training.
Riverkids provides stationery, nutrition support, uniforms and medical care to the students as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fun Fair Project today is another effort of Ms. Dale Edmonds and her Family in cooperation with Singapore Airline to provide an opportunity for the Cambodian children to have fun. The volunteers from Singapore are also sharing their compassion, and their little budget to the Cambodian Children. They are getting to know the culture of Cambodia and strong ties between the countries of Cambodia and Singapore as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Taking this opportunity, On behalf of Riverkids Foundation, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers at Singapore Airline, and Ms. Dale Edmonds and Her Family who contribute in spirit, in physical efforts and budget donation for the whole Fun Fair. I also would like to express my sincere thanks to His Excellency, the highest representative of the Governor of Phnom Penh City, Distinguished Guests, and Friends who are present at the Fun Fair and contribute to the Fun Fair’s excitement and success.
Once again, On behalf of Riverkids, I wish all of you the Best.

Thank you!