Sim: A mother rebuilding her life thanks to the House of Families in Cambodia

In January, the FAAI Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy travelled to Cambodia and the Philippines to explore the realities of the Houses of Families programme in these two countries. 

In Cambodia, despite legislative efforts to promote gender equality, social norms continue to perpetuate discrimination and domestic violence, as well as issues such as illiteracy and addiction, which has risen sharply over the last two years. That’s why the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) House of Families cares for families in situations of high vulnerability, focusing on the essential role of the family in child development. Through activities and workshops organised by our partners, children and parents can better understand their needs, become aware of their rights, and strengthen their family bonds. At the WRC House of Families, many women are single mothers who have chosen to leave an abusive partner to protect themselves and their children and give them a better future. Among them, we met Sim, a mother of four children, two boys and two girls. 

“Thanks to the House of Families, I found the courage to divorce because I could no longer bear the domestic violence,” Sim shared with us. 

Sim leads a simple life, shaped by work in fishing and other activities that help her stay independent and manage daily challenges with resilience. Thanks to the support and workshops offered by the House of families, single mothers can meet their children’s needs and regain some stability. 

“The House of Families regularly organizes cultural visits, which is a great opportunity for us to discover new things. We also receive medical kits for the family, which is very helpful, especially during times of need. Another valuable support has been the help given to our children: they received bicycles, which makes it easier for them to get around. In addition, we also benefit from medical assistance, which helps us take care of our health,” Sim said.