Thirty-five years ago, on November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which introduced for the first time the fundamental principle of the best interests of the child.

Although Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam have signed the Convention, challenges remain in these countries to ensure the full realization of children’s rights.

Despite progress, children living in poverty, particularly in rural and mountainous areas, face considerable challenges.

In Laos and Vietnam, enrollment rates have improved, but inequalities persist due to a lack of infrastructure and teachers, especially in rural areas. Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to education.

We also work to reduce the abuses they face, such as child labor and domestic, physical, psychological, and sexual violence.

In collaboration with Family Care First, our Borey Komar and Smong centers in Cambodia aim to reduce the number of children separated from their families and living in orphanages.

In 2017, approximately 16,000 children were living in orphanages. The number was reduced to 5,075 children in 2022, of whom 80% have at least one living parent.

The reduction of children placed in centers and their reintegration into their families has been made possible by prioritizing day care and respecting the best interests of the children.

We reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting children’s rights in Southeast Asia and worldwide.

To help children in Southeast Asia