Help Khmer Social Workers Care for Foster Children

ABC (given name) and her brothers live in the poor family, sheltered under a small non-wall and leaking-roof hut, and in the unbelonging property in a remote area, about 170km from Vealveng district, Pursat province.They did not have enough food and were uneducated. The kids were working very hard with their mother in the casava and corn field for their daily support while the father was an alcoholic person. 

Through the involving and collaboration with DoSVY director and deputy director, Child welfare officer, commune chief and commune deputy, village chief and villagers in the  community, intervened and supported the case of a girl named ABC(given name), 12 years old together with her 5 siblings who live in a small non-wall hut with an old-broken roof in the remote area in Pursat province. The family was in hunger and ABC(given name) could not access the school, now could go to school and her family situation is getting better. The changes resulted according to the cooperation between relevant partners and MRO to act in which highlighted below:

• Good cooperation between Child Welfare Officer, DoSVY, local authorities and MRO.
• Child Risk-assessment, Family-assessment, Family Planning with those children and their parents together with all relevant authorities.
• Case conference with DoSVY and local authorities, gathering other resources and/or any service providers to support the need of OVC and family.
• Meeting with DoSVY and Commune officers to discuss the risks and finding solution.
• Skill in negotiations
• Flexible facilitation
• Advocated with local authorities for the family to have a property for their residential.

Outcome

Through well cooperation implementing on child protection process and contribution together through model of case conference could changing ABC(given name)and her sibling lives to be better situation such as:

• OVC were registered school and keep study.
• Local authorities understanding the need of the children and solve the OVC issue through and take on role and responsibilities.
• The Fathers Reduce alcohol consumption, spend more time to work with this wife, improve their income, and have a better life.
• Appropriate and safe shelter and additional occupations at home, such as raising chickens and growing crops, have improved through the application of techniques by the commune authorities, skills and experience, and the abilityfor OVC to live with family without migration.