Advocacy Tour on 29 January 2010

Last month, I had the opportunity to guide 2 participants from Singapore, Benjamin and Huwei in our Advocacy Tour.

In just 2 hours, what set before their eyes were dusty roads with pockets of slums – a stark contrast from the garden city, Singapore. But the quiet laid back life and Indochinese culture present an exotic charm that open their eyes to a lot more Cambodia offers.


Our participants were first led into the slums where we give them detailed description of the real issues challenging the people in the community. We explained how people survive, how they earn a living and how some got cheated. Our participants get to follow the kids to where they would collect trash in order to earn a living, a sight rarely seen by tourists.



Benjamin had an interesting observation. He said that in Singapore, parents usually walk faster than their children but in Cambodia, it’s the reverse – a sign that children are made to slog by their parents to support the family.

Later that day, I brought them to the local market. Here, restaurants, bars, clubs, beauty salons, lingerie shops scatter across the busy little town. A good hair wash can be enjoyed at just USD1.00!





Our next stop was the White Building where slums and prostitution thrive.








The tour ended with free documentary movies. One of the movies lets you peek into the life of the sex worker in the white building.

“I have been to India and saw many slums but did not go right into the slums. This tour enables me to get up close and personal with the people, making Riverkids’ Advocacy Tour a unique experiential tour,” said Huwei.


I am glad they have learned a lot from the trip, in particular, the reasons behind poverty and how our programmes combat the root causes of child trafficking and help prevent it. Take a break in February and join us in our Advocacy Tour!

Contributor: Soklee