Green Gecko

It's more than just a centre for street kids. In the five years it has been operating, Tania, Rim, Claire and the team of Khmer employees and Western volunteers have this place in total order. The 63 children are divided into families, each identified with a different coloured t-shirt. The families eat in huts together and share accommodation. They are truly like brothers and sisters.

Not only does Green Gecko provide these children with food, shelter, schooling and health treatment,they do extra curricula activities including sport, living values classes, art, craft and even sexual health classes for the older girls.They are SO smart and our guide Rithy was amazed with their resourcefulness and resilience. As a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, Rithy wished these types of opportunities were availed to him when he was a young orphan.

Green Gecko also care for the children's siblings and parents by providing vocational training programs and funding for the siblings'schooling.They are shaping up to Cambodia's next leaders. Many have aspirations to have their own NGOs to help Cambodia's poor.

The Rotary Club of Frankston has a large presence here and funded solar power recently.