Safe House Battambang

In Cambodia we collaborate with the foundation of AVEC (Aide Volontaire aux Enfants du Cambodge – Voluntary aid for the children of Cambodia). The principal goal of the founding couple, Patrik and Theavy Bun Roux, was to fight human trafficking and child abuse. This is the reason why they opened up the Safe House in Battambang in 2009 in order to provide orphans and children coming from extremely difficult social backgrounds with a safe haven. Here the children find comfort and protection within an extended family with a special focus on proper education. Moreover, AVEC has established an information network in rural areas in order to be able to identify children at risk and thus prevent human trafficking from spreading. The close collaboration with local public schools also helps to support children at risk and allows them to attend school as long as possible.

More about Cambodia here.

Today, AVEC is officially registered as an NGO in Cambodia, Switzerland and France. In Cambodia, AVEC is considered a competent partner for local authorities, in particular when it comes to intervening in particularly severe cases of child abuse. AVEC monitors hundreds of families and supports numerous children of school age. Every year 9 tons of rice as well as thousands of school books, pencils, boards and school uniforms are distributed to families in need.
A total of 40 children live permanently in the Safe House. Every day, 400 children attend the English and computer courses offered on its premises. There is a total of 17 training positions for future tailors.

Renovation Office

In 2010, CHF 10,000 of the Bazaar proceeds were dedicated to the renovation of the Safe House’s Office and the acquisition of computers. This investment, in particular, helped Patrik and Theavy, as they were provided with an adequate office space for the administration team.

Renovation Safe House

In 2015, we donated CHF 15,000 from the Bazaar’s proceeds to the renovation of the Safe House. The works progressed rapidly and the renovation was finished at the end of 2016. The dorms were painted and the bunk beds renewed. The kitchen was equipped with a new floor that can be cleaned easily and is thus more hygienic. The new metal panelling in the kitchen also adds to a greater level of hygiene and the newly installed range hood drastically improved the air and smell in the kitchen – especially considering the fact that the cooking is still done on an open fire.

Bicycles for children in need

In 2021, we were able to provide almost 90 children with a bicycle thanks to a generous donation. We write here about what a bicycle can do for a child’s development and for their whole family.