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At the heart of Cambodia, an invisible drama unfolds in the chaotic landfills of Phnom Penh, where hundreds of children, like silent heroes, fight daily for their survival. Their hands, marked by the hardness of their work, search for treasures among the trash, but their real need is not to be ragpickers, but students. Thanks to the commitment of organizations like For a Child’s Smile, these children can glimpse a bright future where education becomes the essential lever to break the cycle of poverty and open the doors to a world full of possibilities. By giving them this opportunity, we are not only transforming lives, but we are sowing the seeds of lasting change for an entire country.
In Phnom Penh, many children live in precarious conditions, rummaging through landfills in search of small treasures. Yet education could be the key to transforming their lives. The association For a Child’s Smile (PSE) fights to offer these young people a chance to rise by offering them quality education, which represents the hope of a bright future far from poverty.
The difficult path of children from landfills
In the open-air landfill in Phnom Penh, hundreds of children work at the risk of their lives, searching for recyclable garbage. These children, often under the age of 15, are trapped in a cycle of poverty, where daily survival takes precedence over education. The reality is painful: only 43% children from disadvantaged backgrounds manage to reach middle school. Fighting this downward spiral is essential for their future.
The foundation of a new chance
It is in 1996 that Christian and Marie-France des Pallières created the PSE association, after being confronted with the misery suffered by these children left to their own devices. They made the bold decision to build a school and boarding school in the suburbs of Phnom Penh. Thanks to this initiative, 250 children were able to enroll from the first school year, being offered the hope of a better future.
Education: a lever for change
The educational programs implemented by PSE go beyond traditional courses. The association offers recognized training in various fields, ranging from mechanics to engineering, including programs in aesthetics and hairdressing. Thanks to these trainings, 6,500 young people were able to obtain a diploma in promising sectors, thus opening the doors to a professional future.
Strong community engagement
PSE does not just take care of children. The association also works closely with families to encourage them to support their children’s education. In exchange for enrolling their children in school, PSE provides them with rice, thus making up for the loss of income caused by the loss of a child working in the landfill. This approach is crucial, because a child who stays in school is a child who can rise socially and economically.
The tangible results of education
Since its creation, PSE has helped more than 13,000 children to be lifted out of poverty. These numbers demonstrate that education is a potentially revolutionary tool to break the cycle of poverty. With a solid educational foundation, these children can dream of a future, pursue careers, and contribute to building a stronger and more equitable Cambodian society.
A call for solidarity
The situation in Cambodia requires urgent attention. More than 5 million Cambodians live on less than $3.30 a day. Recent stories, such as those of little Leakhéna, and many others, are a reminder that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. PSE invites everyone to participate in this humanitarian effort, through donations or simply by sharing this cause, to make the voices of children who aspire to change heard.
FAQ on Freeing Children from Landfills in Cambodia
A: The association aims to save children living in Cambodia’s landfills by providing them with access to education and training opportunities.
A: Leakhéna is the director of the association, having grown up as a child laborer in a landfill herself, and she is dedicated to .
A: Since 1996, more than 13,000 children have been able to escape poverty thanks to the association.
A: Children can access various training programs, ranging from , to business and even cinema.
A: Most families live on less than $3.3 per day, and often in precarious conditions, which increases the pressure for children to work.
A: For each child enrolled, PSE gives families the equivalent of rice that the child would have brought back if they worked as a ragpicker.