Imagine this. Imagine small children in prison. Really. That’s what I saw when I visited the Siem Reap provincial prison along with Se Chhin the Deputy Director of my NGO Partner This Life Cambodia. How could this possibly happen? That’s exactly what I asked Se. Here’s what he had to say:
Here in Cambodia, if women are sentenced to prison and there is no one to take care of her children, then those children must accompany the mother while she serves her prison time. Prison births also happen regularly. Then the mom must take care of her newborn right here in prison.
Hard to imagine, I know. But that’s what I walked into. I was not permitted to have a camera so I can only tell you about my experience when I entered a small, excessively warm, very crowded child-care room. No air conditioning.
Six or eight moms. One was very pregnant. The others all had kids. Some very small. Some looked to be as much as two years old. A few toys scattered about. A few books on a nearby shelf. Pretty much, that was it.
So I asked my favorite question: “What might make life a bit better under these circumstances”? The women were quick to respond.
We would love to have a place where our children could play outside. They need a place to exercise. A place to burn off some of that energy they all have.
Also we need better education material. Our kids just don’t understand the world and how things really work.
And then Se added on.
These kids are growing up in very sheltered conditions with absolutely no exposure to the outside world. One young girl, after leaving prison to live with her extended family, was amazed by everything around her. “Why do the cows move? Why do the chickens run so fast? Inside the prison the only ones she had ever known were in picture books – frozen on the page.
Putting our heads together, Se and I agreed . . . we gotta fix this. Se took charge, talked with the prison officials . . . and change happened.
Today, the environment for children is entirely different.
Now there is a playground for children inside the prison walls.
And inside the child-care room there is now a 40” television on the wall loaded with cartoons and educational material. Now the kids can see the world in action, not as just pictures in a book.
All of this happened because of the special relationships Se and his team have with the prison officials – and because of YOU, our generous donors. Although still separated from the world, these mothers are not alone. They have some resources. Their children are learning, playing, and being cared for with compassion and dignity.
I hope you’re getting the message here.
What you’re hearing above is a BIG thank you to YOU —
the generous donors that make our work possible.
From the incarcerated mothers all saying
Thank You
We’re really proud to partner with Se and the entire This Life Cambodia team, working together to improve education and life opportunities for so many marginalized kids.
If you’re interested knowing about the work that our other Cambodian NGO partners are doing in service to those most in need, you can click here.
Life is good — at least for some of us it is.
Others need a bit of help.
Together we can provide exactly that.
At the SE Asia Foundation we do not simply “help” people
We Help People Help Themselves
That is our focus
That is our commitment
That is where our actions show up
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