In poverty-stricken communities, it is unfortunately often the case that abuse runs rampant. This often forces women and children to leave certain environments in order to escape threats and physical danger. It takes an incredible amount of strength and courage to do this, especially as a young mother with children in a country facing as much fundamental poverty as Cambodia. While such a move brings immediate relief and safety, it also brings uncertainty and instability: where do we go next? Where will we find a roof over our heads? How will we sustain ourselves? Where can my kids go to school?
Thomlang – Cambodian Youth Support was introduced to Na ‘s family in early 2026. Na had recently moved from a faraway province with her three children, Srey Neath, Tet and Roth. They are now able to stay with their grandmother, Aen, who lives under a distant relative’s house, while their mother took up work in a nearby factory to try to earn money for their survival.
Our organization immediately stepped in to ensure the children’s well-being by providing food assistance and enrolling them in a nearby Primary School with which we are in close contact, enabling them to focus on their studies and educational progress. Srey Neath and Tet are already well integrated in 4th grade, where they soon made friends and found a new community of children from similar backgrounds. Roth is in 1st grade, where he focuses on learning the Khmer alphabet. We also provided the small family with basic necessities like clothes, hygiene products, and bicycles to ride to school.
These small changes can truly make a huge difference, as we can witness firsthand how Srey Neath, Tet, and Roth have emotionally recovered from their tragic past and are now thriving in a community that welcomed them with open arms and compassion. We will continue to support Na‘s family with the distribution of food donations, hygiene products, the coverage of medical bills, and other basic goods every single month, thereby enabling the three children to access education and build the foundation necessary for a chance at a brighter future.
