In Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, 25% of the population live under the poverty line of $1.90 per day. Of the city’s urban, poor inhabitants,  50% live on less than $1 a day. A lack of education and access to resources means many are trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.

At Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF), we offer children living in extreme poverty an education as well as provide vocational support to their families and wider community. Through offering parents opportunities to learn new skills and better employment opportunities, we increase the likelihood of our students staying in school and living in a more secure and safe environment.

As part of our community development, we currently run a sewing course for community members in our Education Centre in Chbar Ampov. Over the course of six months, our trainees learn how to sew as well as how to make and design clothes and other products.

Earlier this year, 35-year-old mother-of-three Boan Kamrim joined ISF’s sewing project. Kamrim believes that the project is useful for her community because in the future she will be able teach other poor women who don’t have an opportunity to learn outside of their homes.

Kamrim also has her sights set on starting her own small business, from her house once she completes the course. However, she knows that to start her own business and run it successfully, she will need further support from ISF or partner organisations. “I hope when I finish I have the abilities and skills to cut and design materials for customers. If I don’t have the abilities I need I hope ISF can still help. I hope ISF can give me a machine to start with. I also hope I will be able to understand how to make different styles of clothes” she explains.

While we will do our best to help women like Kamrim set up their own businesses where possible, we also offer job opportunities through sewing school uniforms and tote bags that may help to supplement our beneficaries’ incomes.

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