Harvest of Hope is a medical and education centre dedicated to helping some of Phnom Penh's HIV positive slum children. Located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, this marginalised community has very limited access to education and medical assistance.

Our involvement:
In 2011, volunteers helped to refurbish and extend Harvest of Hope by adding two new classrooms, a kitchen, toilet facilities and a medical room. Volunteers were also able to spend time with the children and with the centre staff bringing encouragement and hope.

Outcome:
Volunteers have tripled the capacity of Harvest of Hope. They have provided a clean and safe area for basic medical treatment and have been able to furnish the centre with school equipment and basic medical supplies. Without such a centre, medical treatment and education would be out of reach for these children. The children also have toilet and handwashing facilities and the kitchen staff have a new kitchen to cook for the staff and children. As a result of fundraising by volunteers, electricity has been connected for the centre and clean water has been brought to the village.

 

The New Happy Village project based in Phnom Penh re-houses poor families who had been living in shacks on a swampy and polluted strip of the Mekong Delta. Upon moving into the village, families also receive health education and training in life skills as well as schooling and work opportunities.

Our involvement:

Mission Direct's involvement with The New Happy Village began in 2008. Since then, volunteers have helped to build secure and safe living, cooking and dining room facilities for fifteen families. Volunteers also had regular time playing games with the children, who often receive little adult attention.

Outcome:

Volunteers have effectively doubled the size of the houses that nearly 100 people live in - allowing them a safe space to cook, dine and socialise, free from crime and intrusion - it is a further major transformation for them - away from a cramped existence.

Tarsha’s Legacy Centre, is  named after an Australian girl with a dream to help people in Cambodia. It gives the children of New Happy Village and the surrounding area the opportunity for education. In addition to the  income generation projects and training to help the residents gain employment, there is a child sponsorship programme to ensure all the children go to the local school and TLC supplements this education on site.                                

Our involvement:
In 2010, volunteers worked on TLC building three toilets, laundry facilities, a kitchen and a covered dining area where the children and their families can enjoy meals in the shade. This has meant that the old kitchen within the centre could be transformed into a classroom. We were also able to build an office for Sochea who manages the centre.

Outcome:
Extra classroom space has been provided for the children so more children can receive an education. Adult classes also take place at TLC. Sochea has the space to run the centre effectively and the new toilet, kitchen and laundry facilities have meant better hygiene standards for the children and staff at TLC.

The PFC is the primary provider of education and reintegration to prisoners in Cambodia. It conducts vital pre-release interviews and counselling - being able to do this dramatically affects what happens to them when they are finally released.

Our involvement:

Mission Direct worked with PFC in the 2008-2009 to build interview rooms for CC2 prison outside Phnom Penh. These allow for confidential interviews with PFC representatives and others who can help them break the cycle of crime upon their release. Volunteers also played weekly sports with prisoners - generally the highlight of the week for inmates, all of whom are women or young people.

Outcome:

The facilities built by our volunteers have given humanity and dignity to over a hundred prisoners. The facilities also allow loved ones to meet with inmates and markedly improve the chances of successful rehabilitation.