Photography credits: Zoe García

At Phare Ponleu Selpak, children are at the heart of everything we do. From the moment they step onto our campus, they enter a space designed to nurture, raise, and protect. A space where creativity meets care, and where every child is given the chance to grow.

Building a Culture of Safety

Child protection isn’t just a checklist—it’s the thread that runs through our entire fabric. From anti-bullying guidelines to safeguarding protocols, our policies are adapted to the real-life needs of our students—whether they are children, teenagers, or young adults.

Our staff receive training to identify and respond to signs of neglect or abuse, while our Social Support Department works hand-in-hand with local authorities and families to support those who may be at risk. Our staff are also trained in fire emergency procedures and first aid, ensuring they are equipped to respond quickly and effectively in critical situations.

Our Child Protection Committee gathers quarterly to reflect, improve, and respond to emerging challenges. And we believe in shared responsibility: whether you’re a student, teacher, visitor, or volunteer, your role in keeping Phare safe is essential.

Photography credits: Clémence Deville

Mental Health Matters: Psychological Support for Every Student

At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe healing and growth happen best when the mind is supported as much as the body. That’s why we’ve partnered with La Maison du Sourire, a local non-profit, that offers regular psychological support on our campus.

Twice a month, trained psychologists hold individual and group counselling sessions, giving students a safe space to speak, process, and be heard. Talking circles, one-on-one sessions, and mental health check-ins offer care that’s both preventative and responsive. In serious cases, long-term psychological accompaniment ensures no student walks through their struggle alone.

Special attention is given to questions of identity. For students navigating either gender identity or sexual orientation, we provide drop-in hours, a confidential hotline, as well as group discussions and awareness sessions to counter discrimination. As proud partners in a wider LGBT+ support initiative, we’re committed to making Phare a place of inclusion, acceptance, and safety.

Looking After Their Physical Health

A child’s body is their first instrument—especially in a place where physical performance is part of the curriculum. That’s why we take physical health seriously. Students in need receive free medical care, and our circus and dance performers have access to physiotherapy to treat injuries and keep their bodies resilient.

Credits: Chan Rattanakoudom

Prevention is key, too. We run regular nutrition workshops to help families build healthier meals with local resources—because learning is easier on a nourished body, and creativity flows best when energy is sustained.

Photography credits: Clémence Deville

In 2024:

• 75 students received daily meals

• 27 students benefited from financial support

• 12 families received quarterly food aid

• 274 children and young people attended nutrition workshops

Supporting Families, Supporting Children

Safety doesn’t end at the school gate—it begins at home. Many of our students come from families facing financial hardship, and we know how important a stable household is for a child’s focus. That’s why we provide regular support: monthly cash aid and quarterly food packages with essentials like rice, helping to ease pressure and protect children from having to leave school to support their families.

Educating Beyond the Classroom

Education at Phare is not just about books or technique—it’s about preparing young people for life. Through workshops and awareness sessions, we provide practical knowledge that empowers both students and parents: understanding children’s rights, practicing positive discipline, maintaining hygiene, and building healthy nutrition habits.

Photography credits: Clémence Deville

We also tackle sensitive but essential topics, like menstruation, with openness and dignity—creating a space where girls feel supported and seen, not ashamed. These conversations open doors to confidence, equality, and long-term well-being.

In 2024:

• 350 young girls and 29 young boys attended menstrual health workshops
• 65 students received counseling and emotional support
• 145 individuals received physiotherapy treatments
• 30 participants have received first aid care

How You Can Help

At Phare Ponleu Selpak, child protection is not a side project—it’s the heartbeat of our mission. Each program, each policy, each workshop is a step toward a safer world for the young people in our care. With your support, we can continue to protect and empower even more children through arts and education.