ChildFund and Educo join forces to bring change for children in Cambodia

ChildFund Cambodia and Educo in Cambodia formally sign a new collaboration agreement

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 18 September 2015 - Child-focused development agencies ChildFund Cambodia and Educo in Cambodia announced a new collaboration agreement at a formal signing ceremony today. Educo is the newest member of the ChildFund Alliance , a worldwide group of 12 child-centred development organisations working in 58 countries to implement long-lasting and meaningful change for children and families living in poverty. The decision to create a formal partnership between the two organisations in Cambodia will ensure that programs are delivered effectively, efficiently, and for the greatest benefit of vulnerable children and families. Prashant Verma, ChildFund Cambodia Country Director, says: "Both organisations have a strong education focus, while ChildFund is increasingly delivering interventions in the areas of child protection, rights realisation as well as our traditional areas of health, livelihoods and water and sanitation. "A closer working relationship between ourselves and Educo means we can share our experience and learnings, as we seek to find new ways to improve the lives of Cambodia's poorest children and families. It also gives us the opportunity to seek larger grant-funded opportunities which are only available to NGOs working in a number of provinces in the country." Jojo Pastores, Country Director of Educo in Cambodia, says: "We are committed to implementing programs that will ensure the well-being of children in the regions where we work, particularly in the areas of education, child protection and governance, as well as community development interventions that will contribute to realisation of child rights as embodied in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child." "Being a member of the ChildFund Alliance and forging this agreement with ChildFund Cambodia means we can leverage future initiatives to improve policy and programme environments in Cambodia for the well-being of children and their families." Currently, ChildFund Cambodia and Educo in Cambodia deliver programs to rural communities in Svay Rieng and Kratie, while Educo also operates in Battambang and the capital Phnom Penh. NOTES TO EDITORS:

About ChildFund Cambodia ChildFund Cambodia is the representative office of ChildFund Australia - an independent and non-religious international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in the developing world. ChildFund began work in Cambodia in 2007, and today implements community development programs in Svay Rieng and Kratie province focusing on the needs of children and their families in the areas of child protection, child rights, education, livelihoods, local governance, nutrition, safe migration, water and sanitation, and youth. In collaboration with the United Nations and other development agencies, ChildFund established the Child Helpline Cambodia, which responds to the needs and children and youth across Cambodia. About Educo in Cambodia EDUCO's mission is to work with children and their communities to promote just and equitable societies that guarantees their rights and well-being. Our vision is a world where all children fully enjoy their rights and lead a life of dignity. EDUCO in Cambodia started in 2005 with community development projects evolving into our current child rights based programming with particular attention on education, child protection and governance. EDUCO in Cambodia works with partners as well as directly implements projects. EDUCO works with KAFDOC (Khmer Association for Development of Country Side Cambodia) in Kratie provinces, SSO (Santa Sena Organisation) in Svay Rieng, SCC (Salvation Centre Cambodia) in Phnom Penh and KHEN (Khmer NGO for Education) in Battambang. EDUCO directly implements a project in Battambang on improving quality of schools and education. About Prashant Verma, Country Director of ChildFund Cambodia Prashant was appointed to the role of Country Director with ChildFund Cambodia in 2014. During his 23 year career in international development, he has worked in more than 11 countries in Africa (East, Central and West) and South-East Asia Regions, holding senior positions with international non-government organisations including Plan, Concern Worldwide and Care International. In addition to his extensive experience in child-focused development, Prashant has led program interventions in the areas of water and sanitation, livelihoods security, education, community health and nutrition, and HIV and AIDS. About Jojo Pastores, Country Director of Educo in Cambodia Jojo Pastores joined EDUCO in Cambodia in April 2015. Prior to this, he worked with various organisations in Cambodia for 16 years including World Vision Cambodia, EveryChild, and VBNK. Jojo also provided consultancy services within the South East Asia Region on organisation development processes (including strategic planning, change management, values clarifications) and programme and project development and evaluations. Before moving to Cambodia, Jojo worked in the Philippines for 14 years with various NGOs and one corporation. During his 30 years of development practise, Jojo has implemented and managed programs in child protection, partnerships and capacity building, community development (including adult literacy, community organising, health and nutrition, malaria prevention, sustainable agriculture and food security) as well as advocacy initiatives.