Monday, June 4, 2007

Center for Children’s Happiness

While I was in Cambodia I had the chance to visit the Center for Children's Happiness (CCH) outside of Phnom Penh. This was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It started with a trip to the Steung Meanchey dumpsite (click here for more) where we learned about 2,000 people (600 are kids) who lived there picking through garbage. We climbed through the heaps and watched people working and living in conditions that we could only stand for the hour we were there (literally). This is where CCH selects children for their program where they house, feed, and educate them.

After the dump we went to Phase 1 which is a large building that serves all feeding and some of the housing and education needs. From the moment I stepped into the courtyard of CCH I felt as if I were a part of this family. We were welcomed with the most genuine smiles and gratitude. These children laugh and play and teach each other. They cook and clean, play music and sing. They read and speak three languages and they work out their own differences. Most of these kids, at the age of eight, have an appreciation for life that I can only imagine in my wildest dreams. All of this they owe to the volunteers of CCH, their family.

If you would like to help the program please visit their page (http://www.cchcambodia.org/) or send me a message and I would be happy to help with the proper contacts.

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