As a result of extreme poverty and the relatively high cost of medical care in Cambodia, many children do not receive adequate healthcare and consequently suffer from potentially life threatening illnesses. A great number of children across the country are malnourished and do not have access to clean drinking water. Anjali House is dedicated to improving and maintaining the physical health and development of street children in Siem Reap by funding the following measures for Anjali kids:

Food and water

Many of the health problems affecting Cambodian children are associated with poor diet and unclean drinking water. Thus, everyday we ensure the children receive a fruit snack and two nutritious meals, consisting of vegetables, meat and rice. We also provide filtered water for the children to drink.

We also understand the pressures felt by the families of Anjali kids as many of them struggle to make ends meet. These pressures are compounded by the recent increase in the price of rice, which is the staple energy source for most Cambodians. Thus, thanks to our friends at Sam Relief, the children are provided with a rice allowance every Saturday which they take home to help feed their families. We would like to see this expand to include vegetables and some meat or fish once our budget will allow.

Personal hygiene

Due to the lack of clean water and the constraints of poverty, prior to the establishment of Anjali House many of our children had never used soap to clean themselves or brushed their teeth. Some of them even put toothpaste on their body, thinking it was a cream to wash themselves! Now every day the children bathe in clean running water with soap and shampoo, brush their teeth and clean their clothes. We supplement these resources with constant education as to the importance of personal hygiene in preventing health problems.

Medical and dental healthcare

All the children are regularly seen by qualified medical and dental practitioners who visit the school and assess and treat every child.

The Angkor Hospital for Children

(AHC) assists us by performing free onsite assessments and treatment for all Anjali kids, and providing us with a follow-up report on each child is condition. In addition, AHC provides free care for any child with a condition that requires hospital treatment.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sent trained dental practitioners to Anjali for treatment of every child in February 2007. They performed examinations, extractions and fillings over two days on site at Anjali House. We also receive qualified dental healthcare workers from Globalteer who perform the same examination and treatment service on a voluntary basis.

We would like to thank our partners for their support.