Micro-business for families in the community

At The Changi Ville Guesthouse (Street 330, #137B Chamkarmorn District) you can find fantastic gifts made by the parents and students of the River Kids Community. The products include embroidered bags, mobile phone bags, baby clothes and handmade cards. They also sell bracelets and necklaces made from recycled paper which is twirled around to create beautiful shapes and colors. By making these products the children are learning practical skills which will give them future employment opportunities and help prevent them from being involved with human trafficking. In addition, you are helping to ensure that the children of the River Kids community can continue to go to school to receive an education and not have to work on the streets.

- Amelia Trompf

Nutrition Program of Riverkids

Many of the children from the slums receive no money and no food. They don’t get any nutrition in their bodies; therefore they look skinny, pale and very sad. Though we might see a smile every now and then, when we looked deeply into their eyes, they seemed afraid. Occasionally when they do receive small amounts of money, they go and buy candy to fill their hunger, which is very unhealthy and is only satisfying for a short time. They do this partly because they have not been taught any better.

As a result of this, the Riverkids Project decided to set up a Nutrition Program to teach them about nutrition and how to improve their health, which consequently will improve their lifestyle. The program involves teaching them about the benefits of a healthy diet, as well as providing them with some hygiene food and good nutrition when they come to class at Riverkids. Some of the snacks that they receive include soya milk, Milo, banana cake, sticky rice and different kinds of fruit; mainly bananas and apples.

Since then, we have seen drastic changes. Not only have they learned more about healthy nutrition, but they are also happy and full of hope. They are not scared and are able to play with confidence. The daily nutrition that they get impacts the way they act beyond what we might think.

Riverkids sends our deepest thanks and appreciation to all donors throughout the world who are supporting our Nutrition project. An example of 2 such donors are Ms Cecilia and her friend from Singapore who visited the kids and kindly contributed $62 USD which has been added to the program budget.This is very much appreciated as it allows Riverkids to buy more nutritional food for the children.We also wish to thank all the volunteers and those who are dedicating their time,effort and thoughts towards the program.

Former Volunteer Visited Riverkids

Tan Sherie is one of a group of volunteers from Raffles Junior College, Singapore who conducted a Community Project at Riverkids in 2007. Both the Riverkids staff and the children were very impressed with her work. The kids’ living situation and their innocent faces make them hard to forget, and the volunteers felt compassionate and worked to help the kids get better educations and better lives as they got in Singapore.

During the holiday reason at the end of 2008, Tan Sherie along with her parents and grandmother had an opportunity to visit Riverkids again. It was a really exciting time. Most Riverkids staff still recognized the familiar face of Tan Sherie. The kids were so pleased to see Sharie who always shared her compassion and love with the kids.

Sherie wrote:
“ Arriving at the alley, walking pass the house that we stayed in last time and taking the turn in to riverkids, everything felt so familiar and comfortable. And seeing the big wide smile on your face, Mr Sophon, I was reminded of the 'fatherly' figure that inspired many of us in the team during the expedition. And what surprised me even more was how the children at riverkids actually remembered me! My heart practically melted as I saw familiar faces. And the kids could speak english so well now, asking me "what is your name" and "how old are you". I still remembered the big language barrier we had during the expedition. I promised my family that the trip to phnom penh to visit riverkids would be worth it, and true enough it really added extra meaning to our family holiday.”


The Sherie family also made a generous donation to Riverkids. They kindly donated 24 cans of powder milk, cookies, candy and Tan’s grandmother also contributed 50 USD to Riverkids project. Our social workers delivered the milk to 15 mothers with babies, and cookies and candy for weekly boarders and with 50 USD we purchased soy milk for 250 kids who came to our Head Office to get school supplies donated by Angkor Real Estate Company.











We here at Riverkids: the kids, the parents and staff always appreciate those who share their compassion, love and hope with the kids of Cambodia.

Donation from I-to-I

For the last year I-to-I has sent volunteers to Riverkids in Cambodia through Khmer Volunteer Services. They have made a huge contribution to Riverkids Mission in Cambodia. Their volunteers have conducted a variety of activities with the children of Riverkids such as teaching English studies, computer class, arts, sports, games, hygiene sessions and painting the class room etc.

Recently I-to-I has contributed the budget for Riverkids to buy tables and chairs for the kindergarten. It is a great donation from I-to-I to and is very much appreciated by kids and staff of Riverkids. Before this the children at kindergarten had to sit on the floor while learning. It was very difficult when they had to write or draw something. Sometimes it was cold sitting on the floor and this made it even more uncomfortable for the kids.

Now the kids have received these new colorful plastic chairs and tables. Both teachers and the students are delighted with the new furniture. They are very excited and proud because it makes the students feel like someone cares about their wellbeing. It also lets them know that someone believes in them and in their future.
On behalf of the kids, the teachers and me, I would like to express our sincere thanks to I-to-I for your very generous donation to support the students of Riverkids.

A success Story

After returning back from Singapore, I’d just like to say how happy and truly thankful I am for having the opportunity to further my knowledge and skills in cooking.

After I got a basic standard of food preparation in Cambodia, I was only too happy to go to Singapore. Singapore has hygiene and food preparation standards that we all know are second to none. Whilst I was abroad, my home stay family took me in and treated me just like my own family back in Cambodia. They were so loving and caring and catered to my every need. From completing my training in Singapore I received a wealth of knowledge in food preparation and hygiene, I also received a fantastic reference from the Singaporean team. Once I returned back to Cambodia I couldn’t wait to pass on all my stories, knowledge and experiences with loved ones at RiverKids children and Changiville Guest House.

One day I’d like to do my own unique set menu using both Khmer and Singaporean cuisine.

I never thought that it would be possible for a person who grew up where I did, to ever have the opportunity to study in one of Singapore’s The Salvation Army Center.

I would like to pay special gratitude to Mr Williams, Mr Benson, Mr Sophon, RiverKids and everyone who gave me a helpful hand.

You must always work hard in life, never give up and you will achieve your dreams. Through RiverKids you can achieve your dreams.

Get Ready girls touring Intercontinental Hotel

A Singapore volunteer, Adeline, organised an awesome behind-the-scenes tour for our Get Ready girls from Alexandra at the Intercontinental Hotel in Phnom Penh. They went around the kitchens and staff rooms, talked to staff and ate a delicious meal. Tourism is a major industry in Cambodia, and we've placed several Get Ready graduates in hotel jobs. You don't need a lot of paper qualifications, but you need hard work, responsibility and people skills - traits we teach in the Get Ready program.

Thank you so much for the opportunity, Adeline!