Giant Leaps for Small Steps Project
The Scott Dunn Charitable Fund proudly supports Small Steps Project, a charity delivering aid and providing vital support to children and adults living and working on rubbish dumps around the world.
21 May 2018
Since 2017, we have fully funded the Takhmao dump project in Cambodia’s Kandal province, providing children working on the dump with a sustainable alternative to scavenging. Here, we find out the latest updates from Takhmao and what’s next for the charity.
When we think of Cambodia, it is often the vast temple complex of Angkor Wat, the sandy beaches of Koh Rong and the ornate, colonial architecture of Phnom Penh that springs to mind. Yet for local children living and working on the Takhmao dump, on the outskirts of Cambodia’s capital, the reality was always quite different.
When Small Steps Project began working at Takhmao in 2014, nearly 70 children were working on the dump, living in a nearby community with limited access to sanitation. Since then, the charity has worked tirelessly to ensure that children are no longer scavenging by providing nursery care for 0 – 6 year olds and an outreach facility for children aged 7 and above. By preparing the youngsters for a successful integration into school, enabling them to enjoy nutritious meals whilst accessing educational resources alongside healthcare and hygiene services, the charity aims to support the young people of Takhmao, helping them to stay off the dump forever. This initiative is bolstered by workshops for parents, offering them support and a learning facility.
The purpose built centre continues to grow, becoming the blueprint for Small Steps Project’s initiatives across the globe. With indoor and outdoor classrooms, bathrooms, and a large garden area, the centre continues to be an attractive and sustainable alternative for the young people of Takhmao.
In 2017, Small Steps Project have:
- Facilitated 2,634 medical consultations including ongoing medical care where necessary
- Enrolled 71 children in the centre
- Provided residential care for 9 children who cannot live at home
- Supported a further 90 children who are not enrolled in the programme but have accessed services at the centre and summer school
- Provided support for 45 parents
So what does the future hold for Small Steps Project? The charity continues to build additional facilities, developing the centre further to continue to accommodate the needs of the children – the new toilets and shower facilities have been met with huge enthusiasm! With a host of new educational activities on the agenda for 2018, we’re so excited for the year ahead and continue to be proud of our involvement with such an incredible charity.
This entry was posted in Philanthropic travel, and tagged Cambodia, charity.