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A visit to the CDO orphanage in Siem Reap, Cambodia


Meet the Children at the Children Development Organization
(CDO) in Siem Reap, Cambodia

CDO is now taking care of 27 students between the ages of 4 and 15. (8 girls and 19 boys). In Cambodia, it’s estimated there are over 100,000 orphans or abandoned children. Some have parents but come from families that can’t provide enough food for their children or they suffer from physical abuse and neglect. Here at CDO, the children are trained to do chores around the orphanage. They take turn to do laundry, wash dishes, cook, dust and myriad of other tasks. Konti and Map’s turn to do the dishes when I visited them.




Konti (left) and Map are seen doing their daily tasks behind the only well available for the orphanage.

The girl on left is Konti (age 6) and the boy is Map (age 7). Both are orphans and living at Children Development Organization’s orphanage (CDO) in Siem Reap. Konti’s parents gave her to one of their relatives and moved to Thailand either to beg or find jobs. Konti was brought to the CDO orphanage by a stranger. Map’s parents also left him at the orphanage and disappeared.

The children at the orphanage posed for a picture with me
CDO orphanage was started by Mr. Sakoeun, last year to help the orphaned children and to provide them with a safe environment and education. Most of the children in this orphanage come from a village called Leap Chas, about 40km from Siem Reap.
The village is a very poor area. clean water, food, adequate housing and clothing at times are very scarce. The lack of good roads and transport makes finding paid work difficult. In order to survive, the villagers go hunting in the forest and collect any edible plants, fruits and vegetables. However, most of the villagers suffer from malnutrition and disease.
Ms. Savorn Mom, who takes care of day to day affairs told me they need help. The rent of the orphanage is US$180 per month and the monthly budget for operating the center including meals, rent, education and other expenses come to around US$1,200 per month.
The biggest expense is the rice. The children consume 14 kg of rice each day (cost of 1 kg is around US$0.50cts). When the school starts in September, they need to buy uniforms (cost per uniform US$4.50) and each student has to pay for the teacher at the public school US$0.12 cts per month/per child.
Yes, they need help. If you would like to donate to CDO, please contact

Mr. Sakoeun, started the orphanage to provide a safe environment for the children

Ms. Savorn Mom, popularly called as Shrey Mom looks after the children at the orphanage

Front view of the orphanage

Some children at the orphanage


Sign at the entrance of the orphanage at 87 Watsvay Village, Sangkat Salakomroeuk, Siem Reap

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