The orphanage

At the garbage dump there are also children whose parents cannot support them or have died, and if they're lucky they are picked to one of Phnom Penh's numerous orphanages. This particular one is located in one the poorest areas of the city and it accommodates some 100 children in very primitive facilities. A 3x3m room sleeps 10 children, the kitchen consists of three big pots with bonfires underneath them and the 'clinic' has one bed and some basic medicine. The luxury they have in contrast to many other places is a cement floor that was donated by someone from a construction company.

The children are taught English and traditional dancing which gives them an opportunity to gather some money by performing. Some can even be sent to school on regular basis. The lack of food, notebooks, pencils, antibiotics etc. is constant and they run into problems if someone needs external medical care. 50% of their income is from donating companies and the rest comes from visiting people. If you ever come to Cambodia, instead of shooting a cow with a bazooka ($100) or going for 'massage bum-bum' pay a visit to one of these orphanages. You don't have to donate anything if you don't feel like it. Just having someone to hold their little hands for a while makes a day for them.