Future Light Orphanage

Future Light Orphanage was established in the late eighties by Khmer Rouge survivor Ms Nuon Phaly, who has won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in caring for Cambodia's orphans of the Killing Fields. Nowadays, FLO cares for Cambodia's poor, giving them access to private education, accommodation, food everyday, the opportunity to learn English, music and dance and vocational training to prepare them for jobs. As we saw at Kampong Pluk, a rural state school, opportunities are rare. Few had writing books and pens, or text books necessary to expand their education. As Rithy our guide was explaining, state school teachers earn about $30 or $40 US per month. They are overworked and cannot access resources to teach the children properly. This is the 'free'education system. By stark contrast, the once poor children now at Future Light receive outstanding opportunities and it is they, who for the first time in generations, will break the cycle of poverty in their families. Some have one parent, but were brought to the orphanage because their parents could no longer care for them or afford to feed them. The children are respectful and very polite. They're eager to learn.

Coniela did ear, nose and throat checks. She found a lot of nits, but thinks she has managed to avoid them so far. David, Bronwyn and Miriam taught dental hygiene. The red disclosing fluid revealed plaque deposits and showed the children where and why they need to brush. Our puppet MUNCHkin showed them how to brush. We donated toothbrush and paste. Jane and Philippa taught English which turned into a geography lesson with questions like,"where is the largest mountain in the world". They had to think on their feet, which is what people do everyday here just to survive.