Phér

The Ph’er home is located in the city of Kompong Chhnang in the province of Kompong Chhnang.Kompong Chhnang is the only city in the province and has a population of about 45,000 which makes up about 10 percent of the population. Within the province there is less than a 60% literacy rate and only 6.5% of the population has attended secondary school. Almost 45% of the population is under 14 and 40 % of the women over 40 are widows. Only 6% of the homes have toilets which is just one of the reasons for the poor state of health care in the region. Most of the population is involved in subsistence rice production with livestock production consisting of a few chickens, a couple of pigs and possibly a cow or team of oxen.

Death due to childbirth, violence, landmines, and diseases  such as malaria, dysentery, dengue fever, and AIDS are the main contributors to an overwhelming orphan population. With the highest HIV infection rate in Asia, death due to A.I.D.S is becoming the number one cause of orphaned children in Cambodia.

The Ph’er home is located across the street from the Cambodian Mines Action Committee (CMAC) which is the primary mine removal agency in Cambodia. Much of the province has been cleared of mines but a number of children in the homes are there due to death of one or both parents from mine explosions.

Every morning the children rise and shine, beginning their day with a morning devotional. After the time of bible study, worship, and prayer, they eat breakfast. Some go to school in the morning, and others attend school after lunch. During each day, when the children are not in school, they might help with house chores, take a nap, or play with the other children.After studying English. They might watch TV or review their lessons before going to sleep.