Student’s mother manages Cambodian orphanage with friend

Sophaneth Yorn and mother help to teach, feed and raise children in Cambodia. Photos courtesy of Cambodian and International Children Friend Organization

Five years ago, Sophaneth Yorn’s mother and a friend began an orphanage in Cambodia for children who either do not have parents, or whose parents are too impoverished to pay for their children to eat or go to school. Botevy and Vanneth first met playing basketball against one another when they were young. Eventually their families were fled from the war between North and South Vietnam to the rural countryside because much of the fighting was in Cambodia. The endured many hardships under the mercy of the men from the Khmer Rouge leadership included Pol Pot. Many people were killed during this time and the two women experienced harsh treatment and were nearly starved to death. The two eventually were separated until a chance encounter at a church meeting.

The women began the organization with their own money, and have received contributions from missionaries who had served their missions in Cambodia.

“It is hard, because they don’t have enough money to buy food for all of the children. The children don’t have snacks to eat at school, so they only eat rice. But the rice runs out so fast,” explained Yorn, senior in social work from Cambodia. “We are struggling, trying to find money to just buy food for the children.”

The two women presently take care of 22 children, ranging from ages 5-17. They have a four-room building to house the children, and a small hut outdoors where class is held. The children are taught English, and are aided in seeking further education elsewhere. They have had children from their orphanage continue on to technical school and beautician school.

Sophaneth is currently interning for BYU-Hawaii counseling services until June, and she helped to care for the children before coming to school. All of the teachers and staff at the orphanage are volunteers; as Sophaneth explained, “We accept all volunteers.”

“It’s a small orphanage, it’s family size; the children are so well behaved, because we treat them as our own children. So [anyone] is welcome to come; and if you want to help with anything, we appreciate everything.”

The children have been making bracelets, which Sophaneth helps to sell, in order to raise money for food and uniforms. Additionally, they grow mushrooms at the orphanage, which are eaten for sustenance or taken to the market and sold.