Safeguarding Cambodian Children released from RCFs

Safeguarding Cambodian Children Released from Residential Care

Quarterly Update: September–November 2025

Dear GlobalGiving supporters,

Because of you, children affected by sudden residential care closures in Cambodia are finding safety, stability, and hope—back where they belong: at home with their families.

Over the past three months, This Life Cambodia worked closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY/DoSVY) and local authorities to respond to ongoing residential care facility (RCF) closures. These closures, while part of a national reform to protect children, often leave families facing sudden and overwhelming challenges. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to walk alongside families during this difficult transition.

What you made possible (Sep–Nov 2025)

With your support, we provided direct assistance and consistent follow-up to children and caregivers affected by RCF closures:

• 31 children and young people (17 girls) were newly assessed and enrolled in case management support
• 282 cash transfers helped families meet urgent needs such as food, health care, and essential household items
• 28 food packages and 32 hygiene and health kits supported families during periods of acute hardship
• 17 sets of school materials and 2 bicycles helped children stay in school and travel safely
• 6 solar panels improved household safety and stability by providing reliable lighting
• 5 families began small income-generation activities to strengthen long-term resilience
• 9 counselling sessions supported children and caregivers to cope with stress and emotional strain
• 1,001 follow-up visits and contacts (in person and remote) ensured children were checked on regularly and risks were identified early

Behind every number is a child, a caregiver, and a story of change. Here is a story of rebuilding hope shared by a child leaving a residential care facility:

When Ayib (a pseudonym for privacy protection) was just 15 years old, he had already spent three years living away from his family in a residential care facility in Siem Reap province. His mother, raising six children on her own, made the heartbreaking decision to place Ayib and his siblings there after struggling with unstable income, debt, and frequent food shortages. She hoped the center would offer her children safety, regular meals, and access to education.

Life there was not what she had hoped. Ayib often received only two meals a day and was expected to complete heavy daily chores, leaving little time or energy to study. Emotional and educational support was limited. In 2023, the center closed suddenly due to lack of funding, and the children were sent home with no preparation or follow-up support.

When Ayib and three of his siblings returned home, the family was facing extreme hardship. They had no stable income, no permanent housing, outstanding debt, and not enough food. The children were at serious risk of dropping out of school.

With support from This Life Cambodia and the Department of Social Affairs, and thanks to donors like you, Ayib and his siblings were safely reintegrated into their family. Over the following months, the family received practical, life-changing support—including cash assistance, food, hygiene supplies, school materials and uniforms, and a solar panel to provide light at home. To help build long-term stability, the family also started a small chicken-raising business.

Today, the family’s situation has improved significantly. Income from the chicken business, combined with the mother’s daily labor and fishing support from her husband, helps ensure the family has enough food and can keep the children in school. Ayib now attends school regularly and is in grade 9. His health—both physical and emotional—has improved, and he has grown more confident and responsible, often helping care for his younger siblings.

Ayib’s mother shared: “I am grateful to the teachers, This Life Cambodia, and the donors for providing food, hygiene supplies, and essential support during our most difficult times. I hope the organization continues to receive support so they can help more families like mine.”

Ayib added: “Thank you for providing school materials for me and my siblings. I will try my best to finish grade 12.”

Strengthening systems so children stay safe

In addition to supporting individual families, we invested in stronger child-protection systems so this progress lasts:

• 18 caseworkers (8 women), including two persons with disabilities, participated in refresher training on quality case management and child safeguarding
• Our team joined 24 coordination meetings and workshops with provincial and district stakeholders (1,424 participants, 591 women) to strengthen collaboration, referrals, and safe family-based care planning

What’s next 

In the coming months, we expect additional RCF closures to continue. With your continued support, we will keep identifying and supporting newly affected children, strengthening family-based care, and ensuring children remain safe, healthy, and learning—at home and in their communities.

Thank you for standing with Cambodian children and families during a difficult transition. Your generosity is helping children rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and hope.

Links:

• This Life Cambodia Website
• This Life Cambodia Social Media Platform
• This Life Reimagining Care Program Webpage