About Us
At PLF, we believe that in order for children to learn, they must have food security, a stable place to live, transport to school, and access to medical care — the same everyday supports that should be afforded to children throughout the world.
Our mission was developed in response to local, national, and international recognition of the low literacy rates in Cambodia and the wide gender disparity in those rates, coupled with a growing awareness of marginal school attendance in rural villages and the existence of poorly resourced government schools across the nation. The transformative role of education becomes especially important in the Cambodian context where decades of war, civil conflict, and political instability have resulted in massive social, economic, and cultural devastation and widespread poverty and illness amongst families and communities. Close to half of Cambodia’s population is aged 21 or younger, a statistic underscoring the importance of education for the future of this country.
We are well established as a credible and innovative organization in the multiple communities in which we work, amongst governmental bodies, and other non-profit organizations working in education and social development. The schools we support are public government schools with Khmer teachers. We are not reinventing the wheel with our own schools, simply supporting the schools that already exist in their villages, and providing an opportunity for all children to attend.
Our support comes primarily from private donations in addition to on-the-ground efforts by both local Cambodian volunteers and visitors from abroad. People from all walks of life and from all over the world have taught, bandaged, cooked for, played with, and inspired children. They have bundled, loaded, and delivered supplies to students and schools far and wide in the blazing heat and raging monsoons.
Through our array of programs, PLF currently reaches nearly 2,800 children and young people across Cambodia’s Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces.
We hope you enjoy reading about the progress of these amazing children! Be sure to come back often to check out our latest stories, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or sign up for our Newsletter!
PLF is accredited with both Great Non-Profits and Guidestar non-profit watchdogs.