The charity
Enfants de Klang Leu (EKL) is a French-Cambodian non-governmental organization founded in 2006. Our main mission is to facilitate access to education while providing food, medical and social assistance to vulnerable children and their families living in the village of Klang Leu in the province of Sihanoukville, in southern Cambodia.
Today, our Centre welcomes 60 children every day and provides essential support to 100 local families.
Our history
By the end of 2023, the EKL Centre is relocated to a larger, greener space, that is more conducive to the children's well-being. Still in the Klang Leu district of Sihanoukville, just a few minutes' walk from the school, the children benefit from a better environment in which to thrive and build a brighter future.
In 2019, the founders retire from the Board of Directors to make way for a brand new team to continue the work on the ground and develop the EKL structure in Cambodia.
In 2016, Les Enfants de Klang Leu was officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and granted NGO status. This recognition marked a significant milestone in our commitment to the Klang Leu community.
Today, we work in four main areas: Education, Health and Nutrition, Family Support, Arts, Sports and recreational activities.
In 2011, Anne and Jacques formalized the creation of the association "Les Enfants de Klang Leu". The association is recognized as being in the public interest and has the status of an Association Loi 1901. In the same year, as the number of children tripled, they rented a larger, more functional house to spread out their daily activities.
In 2008, a day care Centre was inaugurated in the heart of the village of Klang Leu, which can accommodate around twenty children aged between 3 months and 6 years. This initiative allows the older children to attend school in peace, knowing that their little brothers and sisters are safe. At the Centre, the little ones benefit from a safe environment, and their days are punctuated by meals, toileting, dressing, naps and playtime. Most importantly, the Centre offers them the opportunity to awaken and develop in a safe, clean and healthy environment. Senior kids are quick to join the Centre as soon as they leave school.
Anne and Jacques, founders of the "Enfants de Klang Leu" association, left France in 2005 for Cambodia. As soon as they arrived in Sihanoukville, they discovered the extreme poverty of the inhabitants of Klang Leu. Under shacks made of rusty metal sheets, cardboard boxes or rice sacks, without water or electricity, malnourished children are given the responsibility of looking after their younger brothers and sisters while their parents go out to work. Forced to drop out of school to stay at home and help their families, they sacrifice their future.
Faced with this heartbreaking reality, Anne and Jacques decided to help the families and children of the village of Klang Leu by providing for their basic food and medical needs and helping them to build better, safer homes.
Our vision, mission and values
Our vision
THE RIGHT TO CHILDHOOD AND FULFILMENT
Our vision is to create a world where every child, regardless of their social background, can exercise their fundamental right to live their childhood, filled with laughter, dreams and endless possibilities. We want our Centre to be a place of opportunity, providing a safe and inspiring space for underprivileged children in the Klang Leu neighbourhood to reach their full potential.
Through our commitment and the solidarity of our partners, we aim to help realize this vision and make a significant difference to the lives of these children. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and build a future where every child in Klang Leu has the opportunity to grow up in an environment that fosters their development and full potential.
Our mission
TO ENSURE THE SATISFACTION OF BASIC NEEDS
Our mission is to ensure the healthy physical and psychological development of children so that they can achieve a better future. We are fully committed to ensuring unfailing access to :
QUALITY EDUCATION
We see education as an essential pillar for the emancipation of children living in extreme poverty. We design educational programs tailored to their needs, combining fundamental learning, life skills and vocational training. We strive to create a stimulating environment, where each child is encouraged to develop their curiosity and intellectual potential, acquire practical skills and explore their passions.
ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE AND A BALANCED NUTRITION
Health and nutrition are at the heart of our mission. We work with medical professionals to provide primary health care, vaccinations and preventive health services to underprivileged children. We also ensure that every child has access to a balanced diet, nutritious meals and clean drinking water to support their growth and physical development.
SPORTS, CREATIVE AND FUN ACTIVITIES
Our Day Care Centre is a haven for children's development. We organize a variety of sports, creative and fun activities. These activities help to channel their energy, develop their sense of teamwork and stimulate their imagination. For children from disadvantaged backgrounds, these moments provide an escape from their difficult daily lives, and help to improve their mental, physical and psychological health. In addition to their immediate wellbeing, these experiences also help to build a solid foundation for their future.
FAMILY AND PARENTING SUPPORT
Families play an important role in the development of children. Our partnership with parents helps them overcome the challenges they face. During our frequent visits to families and through our information and prevention sessions, we strengthen their parenting skills by providing advice on health, education and hygiene to better support their parenting role. By strengthening the role of the parents, we aim to create a positive and stable family environment for the well-being and development of children.
Our values
EMPATHY, INCLUSION AND RESPECT
Empathy drives us to understand and share the emotions of the people we help, acting with compassion and sensitivity. Inclusion guides our approach, creating an environment where everyone is welcomed, valued and included, regardless of their differences. Respect is at the heart of our approach, treating each person with dignity, kindness and fairness. These three values form the bedrock of our mission, and enable us to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of the people we support, and to create an environment where everyone can achieve their full potential.
EMPOWERMENT, SELF-CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Empowerment means giving children living in extreme poverty the means to take control of their own destiny, develop their skills and realize their full potential. Children and families are actively included in the decisions that affect them. By building their self-confidence and encouraging their sense of responsibility, empowerment aims to create generations of children capable of contributing positively to their own lives, their families, their communities and society as a whole.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Responsibility means being accountable for our actions, decisions and results. We value accountability to our beneficiaries, donors, partners and society at large. We take responsibility for the use of the resources entrusted to us and are committed to transparent and honest accountability. We also encourage individual and collective accountability within our team to achieve our goals and fulfil our charitable mission with integrity and efficiency.
Meet our founders
Anne and Jacques COLLINEAU arrived in Cambodia in 2005 and stayed for almost 10 years, living close to the Centre and the families. Accompanied by Anne's sister Catherine SARTON, they founded and managed the charity Les Enfants de Klang Leu for 13 years. In 2019, they passed the torch to a new team of people regularly involved in the life of the Centre and the implementation of projects in the field.
Catherine Sarton
From France, Catherine was responsible for the presidency of the association and the smooth running of the administration.
Anne Collineau
Treasurer of the association, Anne coordinated activities on the ground and was in charge of communication.
Jacques Collineau
As Secretary, Jacques was particularly involved in building and repairing houses.
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