Church Runs Child-care Center To Support Poor Working Parents

Posted: 5th September 2007

KOMPONG CHAM, Cambodia (UCAN) -- In a Kompong Cham neighborhood, poor working parents can go about earning their daily living and knowing their young children are in safe hands.

About 20 poor families make use of the Catholic Child-care Center in the town, 170 kilometers northeast of Phnom Penh, according to Duch Vandy, the center director. More than 30 children between the ages of 3 and 5 get a basic education at the Catholic center, located around three kilometers from the parish church.

One of the parents, Chan Sotheavy, 25, told UCA News recently, "I take my son here because I think this center can help him to learn how to read and develop intellectually." Smiling at the children who played loudly and ran about, she continued, "I trust this center very much although I am a Buddhist."

Close by is 3-year-old Srey Net. She told UCA News she likes to come because she can "play and meet a lot of friends."

Vandy, 50, explained the rationale for the facility, which the local Church built in 2004. "The Catholic Church in Kompong Cham built this center because many parents need to go to work every day, and they don't have anybody to take care of their children."

Its five staff members teach the children Khmer and English, introduce them to books and reading, and teach them hygiene. They also provide the children breakfast and lunch.

The center started with 15 or so children. "Some parents thought that since this center is run by the Catholic Church, we would teach religion and push their children to become Christians. However, they eventually realized our intention is to lend a hand to poor parents who don't have anybody to take care of the children while they go to work," Vandy said.

When the Church started to build a library within the center for children in grades one and two, each family contributed some money to buy food for the workers and also helped with the labor. Now "many neighborhood children come to read books here every day," Vandy noted, adding the center plans to keep improving its services in the future.

According to her, the Church spends US$200-300 per month running the center. "We insist the parents help with 100-500 riel (less than US$0.13) per day, but some cannot afford even this amount," Vandy said.

Currently, three ecclesiastical jurisdictions cover Cambodia: Phnom Penh vicariate, and Battambang and Kompong Cham prefectures.

Article Source: UCANEWS