Three things you should know about orphanages in Cambodia:

1. Three out of four children living in these orphanages are not orphans – they still have at least one parent alive.Learn moreAccording to Alternative Care Report, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, 2008.
2. A vast majority of orphanages exploit children to raise money.Learn moreFor example:
   children are sent to solicit money for their orphanage at bar areas late at night or forced to perform Apsara dances at centers and in public areas to raise funds. Others are found at tourist locations such as the Killing Fields begging tourists to visit their orphanage.
3. Most orphanages don’t have child protection policies in place and therefore abuses are most likely to take place. Learn moreThis means that anyone can visit their centers, even child abusers. By visiting orphanages you are keeping children in vulnerable situation. Orphanages should be a safe place for children and not be open to the public.

Instead of visiting orphanages, here are three things you can do:

1. Become a certified ChildSafe traveler. Learn more Take a 1-hour ChildSafe training course at the ChildSafe center and earn yourself a badge that identifies you as a ChildSafe traveler.
   
   Mr. Nhem Rithy
   Email: rithy@friends-international.org
   Working hours:: 08:00am-12:00pm
             & 1:30pm-5:00pm
   Training fee: Free of charge
2. Take a Friends tour and learn the best practices in protecting children. Click here
3. Volunteer with ChildSafe partner organizations. Learn moreVolunteering
   Invest your time in services that strengthen and improve the livelihood of communities and in the long run keep families together.
   - Find out more about volunteering
   - Ask about implementing partners who need volunteer, please email to:
   info@friends-international.org

In addition, you can support former street youth in training by going to our restaurants or visiting our shops and buying ChildSafe Certified Products which are made by parents so children can go to back to school. Learn moreOur Shops

Phnom Penh
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Friends The Restaurant 
#215, street 13
Romdeng,
#74, street 174 
TooitTooit
Russian Market, Stall #215
Friends@240
#32, Street 240 
Friends’n’stuff
#215, Street 13 

Siem Reap
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Tooit Tooit
Old Market, Stall #30B1 

Sihanoukville
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M’lopTapang Shop
on Serendipity Beach Road