Social Accountability Training
BSDA – Buddhism for Social Development Action – is a Non-Government Organization supporting the poorest of the poor in and around Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. Its focus is on reaching street children, orphans and vagabonds, educating them for a brighter future. BSDA offers language, computer and vocational training as well as scholarships to directly help the youth in need, but also recognizes that their situations are caused by underlying systemic problems that have to be addressed. BSDA tries to solve these by educating famers, improving public schools, helping reduce the threat of HIV/AIDS and strengthening base democracy in Cambodia.
BSDA was established, and is still led by Buddhist monks. The organizations existence was prompted by criticism from the villagers around the Wat Nokor Bachey temple west of Kampong Cham City. The community felt that the monks would preach altruism in theory but hardly ever practice it. Deeply hurt, seven Monks founded the organization, financing it privately throughout the first three years until their work was noticed and international donors started to provide funding. Buddhist morality still plays an important part in the organizations work and the position of monks within the Cambodian society greatly enhances the Organization’s work. Nevertheless, BSDA refrains from proselytizing members of other religions and employs Buddhist and non-Buddhists alike.
By now, BSDA is an internationally recognized Organization with partners and donors all over the world, but lots of work still remains to be done. Read below for a message from our executive director on the current situation:
Cambodia has one of the lowest human development performances in the region, due to its legacy of human suffering and devastation by the Khmer Rouge. Over one third the population lives below the basic needs national poverty line, with rural households accounting for almost 90% of the poor. Communicable diseases dominate all age groups, accounting for 83% of the disease burden.
English Class
Over 10% of the population is below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption. Nearly half of all Cambodian children are malnourished, and one in eight dies before their fifth birthday, largely due to preventable causes. The exceptional situation of children in Cambodia due to a long period of war and genocide, isolation and chaos has made life difficult for those most vulnerable.
The population of homeless people, especially children, is -also for this region- exceptionally high. This is due to problems within or the breakdown of a family, poverty and becoming orphaned caused by numerous diseases. Furthermore, the return of Cambodian refugees is increasing this particular problem. Street children and their families are vulnerable in any country. In Cambodia, they are the tragic evidence of the country’s recent dramatic history and the uneven development of the economy, political system and capacities to respond to basic human needs.
The mostly unaffordable cost of a public education hinders many families to send their children to school. Those children who still maintain regular family ties are mostly forced to work in order to support their families. In addition to the children who have cut their ties to the family completely, there is a multiple number of Street Children who spend most of their time on the street and return to their families regularly or only irregularly. This part of the population is naturally a prime target for prostitution, trafficking, drugs or sexual violence.
It is of vital importance, especially in today’s rapidly changing world, that children can base their future on adequate education and that they are kept away from the dangers of a street life. Life is further made difficult by poor crop yield in addition to continuous warfare and banditry in some regions or numerous landmines, which prevent farmers from growing rice. BSDA – tackling difficult tasks in a most difficult environment. To reach its goals, BSDA naturally depends on help and financial backing from outside.
This web site has been created to support the activities of BSDA, make the organization better known around the world and to promote the acquisition of urgently needed human resources, material and financial support. BSDA is exceptionally grateful for all kind of help and donations supporting its work. Please browse through this web site and the image galleries to get an impression of the work of BSDA.
Vandong Thorn, Executive Director of BSDA
and President of Civil Society Network against Child Labor Organization
