Brick to School - Sponsorship Program in Cambodia
In Kandal brick factories, growing without childhood
On the outskirts of Phnom Penh, in the province of Kandal, dozens of Cambodian families live inside the brick factories where they work. Many of them are there to pay off debts incurred in the past and work on a piece-rate basis: the more bricks they produce, the faster they reduce their debt.
Unfortunately, minors are also caught in this trap, and going to school becomes a luxury the family cannot afford.
Photos. courtesy of Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
The brick factories:
a context of extreme poverty where fundamental rights are missing
This programme sees GTV in partnership with the Cambodian association KKO – Kumnit Kumar Organization (meaning "children's thoughts") which since 2022 has been operating steadily in 22 brick factories in the Kandal area.
KKO is the only charitable organisation able to bring direct assistance to these communities, an achievement made possible by building a relationship of trust, not to be taken for granted, with the factory owners.
The families, often migrant workers trapped in cycles of poverty and debt, have urgent needs: they live in overcrowded housing, with very limited access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare and public services.
The children are exposed to an unhealthy and unsafe living environment, and are socially isolated. Their access to education is also severely limited due to the isolated location of the factories and the lack of adequate public infrastructure, putting them at very high risk of dropping out of school.
Photos. courtesy of Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
What will we do with your help?
The programme supports children and their families by going beyond education,
addressing widespread poverty that affects the entire community.
1. Direct support for children
* Annual school enrolment campaign, to reach every child at risk of not starting or continuing their studies
* Provision of school supplies and uniforms
* Scholarships and transport to reach school
* Specific support for teenagers, to prevent dropout in the most critical age group and promote access to vocational trainin
Photos. courtesy of Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
2. Community support
* Monthly mobile medical clinics in the factories
* Construction of toilets and hygiene education campaigns
* Distribution of clothing and essential goods to the most vulnerable families
* Mobile educational activities (itinerant nurseries) for the youngest children
Photos. courtesy of Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
Take action
Support the programme with a donation
or with an ongoing commitment!
With a contribution of €300 per year (€25 per month) you can directly support a child from the brick factories in their school path, while also helping their entire community.
Every year, I would receive photos and stories from the children supported and the interventions carried out by the program, a collective account of what has been accomplished thanks to your help.
Unlike Distance Support in Vietnam, individual sponsor-child support is not activated, given the program's large share of community-based activities and the extremely vulnerable context, which leads to high family mobility.
Download, complete, and send us the "Pledge Form."
We will contact you to provide all the information you need to start your regular support.
By becoming a regular supporter, you commit to donating €300 annually (€25 per month).
If you decide to discontinue your support, you can notify us in writing before the end of the current calendar year. This will allow us to better organize our activities and budget for the following year.
All traceable donations to GTV ODV are tax deductible in accordance with current legislation.
To donate by bank account:
IBAN: IT71C0830434290000040307219
Gruppo Trentino di Volontariato ODV
Bank: Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige
Indication: Programma SAD Cambogia
Photos. courtesy of Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
