គម្រោងគាំទ្រសហគមន៍

We want to see key community members model practical application of alternative care policy in order to support the proper reintegration of children and youth out of orphanages; and using careful action-reflection processes at the higher levels of participation, take the initiative to control their own stability and security. Family and community is the priority environment for providing best holistic development for children. It is much better for them than living in the orphanage.

Village Support Group program

We provide training to key community members (including village chiefs) to improve their capacity to fulfill their duties as leaders, and provide encouragement and support to families in crisis in their communities. We train the key people about the importance of family-based care and issues linked to child rights, and support them to provide Family Focus Groups in their communities with training on best practices in caring for children. Parents are supported to take responsibility for their own children. This model prevents children from being sent into residential care.

Self Help Group program

We help enable communities to form Self Help Groups. Facilitators use a variety of participatory tools to involve the Self Help Group members in identifying the challenges which negatively affect the life of the community, as well as the root causes of those challenges. The group members then prioritise which of those issues should be tackled first, discuss resources available and then make an activity plan to implement the idea they decide to take forward which will best help strengthen their community to be safe, secure and stable for all members, but especially children. Several communities have already completed their first planned activity and are discussing their next one. This model provides alternative methods to strengthen communities in difficult circumstances, rather than remove their children.

Role Model program

As most of the young adults living in residential centres have become alienated from their own biological families, and are unable or do not want to return to the villages they came from, when they leave the centres, they will need to live in the city and town communities, where they have few links with people they can trust. We recruit ordinary, community people from around Phnom Penh to be role models and mentors for the young people as they prepare to leave the orphanages. These community role models are trained in listening skills, child protection, self-awareness and the effects of institutionalisation as they form relationships with young people. As the relationships deepen, they are encouraged to meet together regularly. Role models are also encouraged to offer work experience placements at their family businesses. We want to see these Role Models being models for the whole community.

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