At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to transform their life through education and the arts. To make this possible, we’ve developed several sponsorship programs that support children from vulnerable backgrounds.
The safety and well-being of every child is our highest priority. Our Child Protection Program is grounded in core values that put children first: zero tolerance for abuse, inclusivity, and active participation. To ensure this, we maintain a strict code of conduct for all staff, volunteers, and partners. Any form of inappropriate behavior—whether physical, emotional, or online—is never tolerated.
Photo Credit: Olivia Audo
To keep our community safe, everyone involved undergoes mandatory child protection training and attends regular workshops to help them recognize and report potential signs of abuse. We also empower children to voice their concerns through anonymous reporting channels, ensuring their safety is always in their hands. A dedicated Child Protection Officer oversees all complaints confidentially and takes swift action when needed.
A key part of our Child Protection Program is ensuring that all children are not only safe but also healthy and supported in their educational journey. This is where the Lunch Support Program plays a crucial role. By providing nutritious meals to students, the program directly contributes to their physical well-being, enabling them to focus on their studies and personal growth. In this way, our commitment to child protection extends beyond safety—it includes ensuring that every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
The Origins of the Lunch Support Program
Launched in 2003, the Lunch Support Program began by providing meals to children living in our shelter. This was crucial to guarantee that these children received the necessary nutrition to grow and succeed academically. When the shelter closed in 2012, we shifted our focus to continue helping students in our child protection program, ensuring they still received nutritious meals. This evolution demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community.
How the Lunch Support Program Works
Photo Credit: Chan Rathanakoudom
The Lunch Support Program is designed to provide nutritious meals to students at various stages of their education, benefiting around 80 students aged 5 to 31. The students participating in the program are enrolled in diverse programs across Phare, including Kindergarten, the Child Development Center, the Performing Arts School, and the Visual and Applied Arts School.
The selection process for the program is carefully crafted by our social support department. Our dedicated social support team plays a crucial role by conducting home visits and family assessments. This process allows us to identify families facing the most significant economic challenges, ensuring that our support reaches those who need it the most.
More Than Just Meals
The Lunch Support Program is about much more than just providing food; it’s about ensuring that students receive healthy, balanced nutrition. In addition to meals, we offer nutrition workshops to help students, and their families learn about healthy eating habits, promoting lasting, positive change.
In these workshops, students learn the importance of maintaining a balanced diet by incorporating a variety of foods from all essential groups, including fruits, vegetables, and protein. Phare promotes healthy eating habits, encouraging regular meals and portion control. Students are introduced to local nutrient-rich foods like rice, fish, vegetables, and fruits, ensuring they avoid eating junk foods and understand the value of accessible, wholesome ingredients.
What’s the Next Chapter?
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we recognize that social support and proper nutrition are vital to a child’s growth and success. Our Lunch Support Program is just one way we provide holistic care for the children we serve. In addition to offering free lunches, we also provide food packages and rice to families in need, ensuring that support extends beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to take our efforts even further with the construction of a new canteen to cater to the larger student body including the Public School with over 800 students. This initiative will allow us to collaborate with local vendors to guarantee that every child receives balanced, nutritious meals. By offering a greater variety of healthy options, this new canteen will further our commitment to students’ well-being, helping them stay energized, focused, and ready to thrive in both their education and the arts.
How You Can Make a Difference
Your support is crucial in sustaining and growing the Lunch Support Program. By joining our child sponsorship program, you can provide meaningful assistance to our most vulnerable students. Even a small monthly donation can have a big impact, helping a child stay in school, pursue their passions, and reach their full potential.
Want to be a part of transforming Cambodian children’s lives through the arts? Join us in making a difference by supporting Phare Ponleu Selpak’s child sponsorship program today.
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