Battambang

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia).

The city of Battambang, with around 200,000 inhabitants, is located in northwestern Cambodia near the border with Thailand. The district of Battambang is also known as the "Rice Bowl of Cambodia”, but families also grow other crops. An increasing number of people are employed in the service and industry sectors and the government has been improving the infrastructure in order to attract more businesses to the area. Decades of civil war and political unrest have affected families here.

Since 2006, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Battambang.

157th
Country in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)

Corruption and human trafficking

Financial experts believe that the Cambodian economy has potential to grow further due to mining and the discovery of oil off its shores. However, corruption is a challenge, with the country rated as one of the most corrupt in the world. Cambodia is ranked 157th in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) out of 180 countries. Human trafficking is also a problem: people are trafficked both with the country and internationally. In 2021, the number of people trafficked doubled from the year before. Many people are tricked into thinking they will be working in jobs with good salaries, only to find themselves trapped and exploited.

60%
Of the population is under 25

Young population

Children are often required to work on the land, as they have to help provide food for the family. Because of their involvement in the fields, they often do not go to school. Furthermore, these stressful conditions have a huge impact on family life, and countless children are left without parental care. Approximately 60% of Cambodia’s population is under the age of 25. The young population has the potential to contribute to the country’s social and economic development, but many don’t have the resources and opportunities to access their potential. Prioritizing education and training will allow young people to escape the poverty cycle, as they grow older and have more employment opportunities at their disposal.

Your support makes a difference for children in Battambang

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
730
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
570
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
90
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
50
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Brothers and sisters playing spending time together. Children, who grow up in our care together, often form bonds that last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia).

How your support helps in Battambang

Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run trainings so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school...
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.