AUSTRALIANS could help children in Cambodia receive an education and avoid the possibility of life in child sex trade by funding an innovative mobile centre.
For more than a decade, the Daughters of Charity in Cambodia have offered education and care for children on the outskirts of the country’s capital.
Countless disadvantaged children have become victims of Cambodia’s infamous sex trade industry, which is considered the global centre of child trafficking.
Daugther of Charity Sr Eulie Desacula said education is the number one tool to stop a child from being forced into child sex trafficking.
“If these children receive a good education, they can become freer to decide for their own lives,” Sr Desacula said.
“These children will be freed from the poverty which their parents are experiencing now.”
A new initiative, termed the Mobile Tuk-Tuk Eductation Centre, will put the Sisters in touch will thousands more children living in poverty.
Locally-formed teachers take the tuk-tuk out to small communities, providing children with lessons in language, hygiene, life skills, children’s rights and cultural heritage, while fresh meals promote healthy eating.
The project has become the latest focus of a church appeal by Australia’s pontifical mission society, Catholic Mission, and is a partnership with the Daughters of Charity.
Catholic Mission director Fr Brian Lucas said the mobile education centre would give children who cannot access education a chance at life.
“Sadly, too many children in Cambodia cannot attend school without the required documents, like a birth certificate,” Fr Lucas said.
“This innovative program can proactively take education to the children who need it the most.”
The 2016 Church Appeal’s theme is from the Gospel of Matthew, ‘Just as you did it to one of the lease of these…you did it to me’.
The appeal includes an inspirational DVD along with other interactive materials for people who want to support Catholic Mission through prayer or ongoing donations.
Materials for this year’s appeal are at www.catholicmission.org.au/cambodia.
