What is it?
As of 2013, strangers started coming in and out the Children’s Homes property to steal water, fish from the pond and belongings of the staff and volunteers. Because of the absence of fences/walls to protect and demarcate clearly the area, and because of the large Homes 1 and 2 premises area, it is very challenging to control and to prevent children and outsiders from going in and out at night. Moreover, Cambodia has seen increasing petty crimes occurring more and more often, and escalating in violence over the last years. Hence this current situation seriously compromises and challenges the proper security and safety for the children.
Why do we need your help/how you can help?
A tragic accident happened in 2010 when a child was attacked by a visitor with an ax.. The child was sent to hospital because of head injuries. It cost almost $5,000 USD (equivalent to our food allowance for the whole year) to cover the medical treatment. We never found the attacker. Luckily the child survived the vicious attack and is now healthy.
We need to build a fence 2 meters high with a concrete wall to surround the centers, to protect the children. The estimated cost is quite high and we are looking for an alternative solution like the use of natural bushes with spines, but this will require regular maintenance. We are looking for an engineer or architect that could help with the design of the natural or concrete fence to reduce vulnerability of the children.
Funds are needed to cover the purchase of concrete, barbwire, signs, poles, and human resources etc.
Below is the estimated budget for this project.
Home I: $65/metre x 1000 metres = $65,000
Home II: $65/metre x 500 metres = $32,500
This solution is quite costly and we would welcome alternative ideas that are more economical but it has to be durable over the years.
What are the expected results?
Children will feel safer, and would have a stronger sense of home. It will be easier to control the visitors coming in and out the premises through specific access points.