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