 9 Mar, 2011 At only 16 years old, Khut Somean, has already had a difficult life. He lives in a damaged shelter made from palm leaf. His family is the poorest family in the village. His family’s income was too small to provide proper food for the children. His parents couldn’t afford to pay for his studies and he planned to drop out the school last year.
Somean stated,”Thanks to COCD, who has provided a scholarship to me which made me able to continue studying”.
Khut Somean studies at grade 4 at Kul Totoeung Primary School. He is the first child among the 5 children in the family. His life has improved considerably in a short period of time. He has received a scholarship from COCD in September 2009. He is now an outstanding student in the class. He was ranked number 2 in the class, which is better than he has ever done before.
His family’s standard of living now is getting better and better. The health of his family members has improved remarkably. Last year, three out of seven members of the family got sick because of malaria, diarrhea and typhoid. After his family members have received health education from the village health volunteers [supported by COCD], no one in his family has gotten sick this year. As a result, his family can save a lot of money from healthcare expenses. 
Cambodian Organization for Children and Development (COCD) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profitable and non-religious organization, creating lasting change in the lives of children in Cambodia. COCD was established in late 2007 by a group of Cambodian development professionals with technical supports from terre des homme Germany and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior in March 2008. COCD encourages social change to tackle the structural causes of poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.   Vision Statement: A society where all people have quality welfare and where all children are free from all forms of abuse, are protected, educated, cared for and have their rights respected.
Mission Statement: COCD aims to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children, their families and communities in Cambodia by:
1. enabling deprived children, their families and their communities to meet their basic needs and to increase their ability to tackle structural causes of poverty, inequality and social exclusion
2. promoting the rights and interests of the Cambodia's children. Board of Directors is the highest decision-making body in COCD. The Board of Directors meets at least three times per year to approve the policies, goals, objective, strategic directions and the constitution of COCD. Extra meetings can be called when there is an urgent need by the Senior Management Committee. The founder of COCD is Mr. Ung Pola who graduated Master Degree in the Integrated Management for Agricultural and Rural Development and in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development from the Royal University of Agriculture, a well-known university in Cambodia. He has more than ten years of professional experience in working in the field of community development and child rights promotion. COCD must be non-membership organization under the leadership of an Executive Director with technical support and strategic directions from Board of Directors. Board of Directors guides a strategic direction of the organization to maximise the quality and effectiveness of the projects implemented by COCD.
COCD shall consist of the Board of Directors, Senior Management Committee, staff and project partners. The Senior Management Committee comprises the Managers of each unit and Executive Director.   COCD is working in the most remote areas of Cambodia where limited assistance being provided by Government and NGOs.
At present, COCD has four offices. The head office is in Phnom Penh, Capital City of Cambodia and other three field operational offices are in provinces.
The first field operational office is in Veal Veng district, the second operational office is in Phnom Kravanh district, Pursat province and the third office is in Chhuk district, Kampot province.
|