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In 2006 Dina’s mother died from HIV Aids in Battambang Hospital. At the age of five and with no one to care for him, Dina wandered the hospital halls begging and stealing. After nearly a month, a concerned hospital worker paid a motorcycle driver one dollar to drive him to HFCC. Dina was frightened and extremely upset. This traumatic experience hindered his social development. However, after one year in the centre and with fulltime care from housemothers, Dina is healthy and happy. He has just begun studying at school. Dina is a very energetic and cheeky child. He wants to be a police officer in the future.
Chy, Chok and Chen are three brothers with a passionate energy for life. Nicknamed the ‘three monkeys, the boys have adjusted to life in the centre and thrived with the opportunities they have been given. The boys came to the centre after their mother contracted HIV and was too ill to care for them. HFCC continues to support their mother. The boys often travel home to give her updates on how they are doing at school. Dancing and singing are their favourite activities. They are very caring of one another and very popular with the other children. The three of them have made huge improvements in their education and are looking forward to a bright future.
At the age of thirteen, Mon, would illegally cross the Thai border to work. She made less than twenty five cents a day selling gasoline, painting furniture and labouring. At this time she supported her Grandmother and younger sister as her parents had died a number of years previously. Mon is now sixteen, and despite her lack of early education is catching up rapidly and excelling in her studies, particularly mathematics. She aims to be a translator. When she arrived at the centre in late 2006 Mom had serious problems with her eyes which have been treated and cured.
“I like to live here” Mon says.” I like all the staff, they treat me well. I am happy because it gives me education. It’s what I want”.
In 2006, when Sreynich came to HFCC she was extremely malnourished and very underweight. Since that time her health has progressively improved. Originally very shy, Sreynich is now confident and happy. She is a very engaging child with a huge smile. Sreynich loves to draw and play games with the other children. Despite her small size she always manages to keep up with the older kids. Playing hopscotch, chasey and other schoolyard games. Sreynich has adjusted very well to life at HFCC. She is thriving with the support of staff and other children.
Abandoned as a baby, Sreyleak, was brought to HFCC suffering from serious medical conditions, including oxygen depravation and infections. She was found on the edge of a field, left lying on a narrow path. Due to the love and care of our staff Sreynich made an amazing recovery and is now very healthy. She has put on a lot of weight and has become progressively more responsive. The other children love to help look after her and already call her ‘sister’
Ry Ra has enormous personality for a seven year old. On a recent field trip to a local temple, he was the first to reach the top of a thousand steps, despite suffering from rickets. After a visit to the doctor, he now has special shoes and his new favourite pastime is soccer. Ry Ra loves to eat sweets. He is always running around the centre climbing over everything and finding trouble. He also loves to draw pictures and learn new words. Ry Ra is a very intelligent and happy child. With ongoing support he should have a bright future.
Pisey and his older brother Pil were left alone after the death of their mother. They went to live with their Uncle, but were taken en route and made to work as drug pushers on the streets. Just before his tenth birthday Pisey and his brother came to live at the Hope for Cambodia Children’s centre. Pisey is a very good student. Despite his difficult start to life Pisey is one of the brightest in his class. His favourite pastimes are football, volleyball and studying English.
Tola, 7 years old, has been living on the street or in institutions since she was a baby. The village she was living in refused to care for her after the death of her parents because she was HIV+ and perceived her as a risk of infecting others. Tola suffered discrimination and isolation because of her status and was not allowed to study or sleep in the same room as other children. In 2007, Tola came to Hope for Cambodian Children. From long-term stigma and isolation Tola suffers from social disorders and abandonment issues. All she has ever asked for is acceptance and the opportunity to go to school and have friends like other children.
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