From the outset Sunny and Karen’s philosophy was to do more than provide for the basic welfare of the children. In Kais Village Community they wanted the children to feel that they had a home, a family, and a community.

The community is situated 86 kms South-West of Phnom Penh, just outside the village of Treng Trayoeung, in rural Kampong Speu province. The village has a busy local market, schools and a handful of tiny coffee shops, but is in an impoverished and vulnerable country area. The majority of the local population are small-holder fruit farmers.

Presently Kais Village Community is home to 60 children, from newborn to 17 years of age, many of whom have special needs. The older children live in newly built individual boys and girls houses, sharing a room with up to 3 other children of a similar age. Each child has their own bunkbed and cabinet. The houses have a small common room for gathering and homework. Aside from the houses, the centre comprises a large nursery for up to 40 infants and playroom, a school with attached guestroom, a small medical centre, a dining room and a toilet and shower block.

The children attend the local school and also daily English language lessons run onsite by volunteers. Approximately 40 village children come to the centre each day for their English lessons. In their free time the children learn cookery, sewing skills, dance, drama, art and crafts.

Recently some of our children have had the opportunity to learn computing skills and take basic Chinese lessons. The on site farm offers a great opportunity to learn agricultural skills, and animal husbandry.

A doctor visits for a full day every week and checks all our children and serious cases from Treng Trayoeung Village. He also runs training programs for the nannies. His work is supplemented by a resident nurse. 

At Kais Village Community, children come to our care through the Cambodian authorities. Our staff complete thorough background checks and, once bona fide needs have been established, the children undergo a medical and are vaccinated, and finally registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Broadly, we provide for the children in 3 areas:

• Basic Needs: food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, and emotional support.
• Education: in conjunction with the local government school our children attend lessons and at Kais Village Community itself, they learn English language skills.
• Personal Development: Our children develop life skills through cookery lessons, swimming lessons, arts & crafts, agricultural training and personal health and hygiene instruction

In the end, the Kais Village Community experience is so much more. Our children find a loving home, are helped with counseling, and once they turn 18, we help them find jobs and further their studies or attend vocational training.

We also throw open our doors to children from the local community for medical and dental care and English language and sports classes.