How is life for the 12 year-old Sok Heng in an urban poor community?

Hello, my name is Sok Heng, I’m 12 year-old and I live in Andong 3. I’m starting Grade Six in October at Kauk Roka Primary School and my dream is to become a writer.

I like to write in Khmer about everything which happens to me, my friends at school and my family. My favorite subjects in school is Khmer and Math and I like to go to classes, even though there aren’t textbooks for all the students and we have to share them between us.

Creating alternatives to residential care for children in Cambodia

Siem Reap, CAMBODIA, July 2013 – Two month old Veha* was abandoned at birth at Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap province, northern Cambodia. It was not the first time a child had been deserted there. Some parents see it as a ‘safe’ place to leave children anonymously when they cannot raise them for health, financial or family reasons.   

©UNICEF Cambodia/2013/Rui Nomoto

Abandoned at birth, 2-month-old Veha* is now 

cared for by foster mother, Som Yai* (*names changed).