THE CRECHE PROJECT by Gabrielle Low

Cambodia was recently identified as one of the most difficult countries for children to live in. It has a young population with children, aged 0-14 years making up 43% of the population; female children 40% and male children 45% of the total population.

Chronic malnutrition among the children under 5 years old is very high: 45 % are stunted and more than 1 in 5 children are severely stunted. 15 % of children less than five years are wasted and 45 % of children aged five and below are underweight.

Pertaining to childhood illnesses, 20% of children fewer than 5 years of age showed symptoms of acute respiratory infection, the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality.   Other common infirmities include diarrhoea, dengue hemorrhagic fever, malaria and malnutrition. Due to poverty, poor sanitation and inadequate health services, it is estimated that one in ten children dies before his/her fifth birthday.

The Pochentong Industrial Zone is the site of eight garment factories. Data on the number of children in the neighbourhood is unknown.    Most of them come and go from their provinces but one can see them roaming around the area. The children share the same living conditions as their parents in crowded rented rooms. Largely, the children are left to themselves while their parents work in the nearby factories or construction sites. Thus, the idea of opening a crèche for children between one and three to ensure that they are not at risk of malnutrition due to the lack of care and proper food.

The assistance for 5 to 10 children will include provisions for nutritious food, clothing, health care, play and rest period and family life training for parents (mostly single parents). Health assistance will be given to those who are in a very difficult situation.

A typical road leading to the centre

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul collaborated with MCCC on this project. They will provide the personnel and see to the day-to-day running of the crèche, while MCCC will provide the funding. It will need US$400 to run the center per month. (Thus, if one will forgo a restaurant meal a month….you can support a child! J)

The sister in charge of the centre, Sr. Sol and I went around to look for a suitable location and after a three week search we only found one at a reasonable price, as usual, the price is jacked up when they found out foreigners were involved. We rented two small rooms, one for the staff which doubles up as a kitchen, while another room is for the toddlers. It all comes with a simple bathroom. (The factories workers themselves usually rent these rooms and sometimes it is four adults to a room).

A "typical" sized room but this one is good as it is tiled by the owner

Along the corridor

It is a new building and the owner, Mr. Ngoun lived in the USA for 20 years before coming back to his homeland. He was kind enough to rent it to us at local rates and even gave us permission to use the common corridor as a little play pen area for the kids. As a precautionary measure, we fixed a gate.

Play Pen area (without the gate)

Along the Corridor of the two small rooms

Play Pen area (with the gate installed)

The next thing on the agenda was to shop for the things needed for the center. We tried to go as local as we can; after all, the children are more comfortable in their own environment. Interestingly, the children are not very familiar with foreign toys and will not play with them.

On 17 November 2007, a group of us; San Mao, San Lin, Oliver, Vincent Kuo and I went to the crèche to paint pictures on the walls of the play area. The only thing I asked for was a rainbow and a beautiful rainbow was given. (You just have to come and see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow yourself).

San MAO

San LIN

Vincent

San Mao and Oliver

Happy Elephant by San LIN

Under the Sea by San MAO and Oliver

Over the Rainbow

The Artists

On December 4, we had a soft "launch". At the moment we have three toddlers with us at the center. By mid-January, we hope the centre will be in full swing.

The Children having their lunch