Breaking Child Labour in Brick Factories

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is well with you and yours. One of the ongoing programs K.I.D.S. funds is a program we call Smart Kids. We started this program six years ago when we visited an area where most of the children and families worked tirelessly at brick factories for next to nothing wages. The situation there is very sad and most families have to all work, including young children, to have a place to live. We went around and asked some families if we could educate one of their kids so they could break the cycle of poverty. Thanks to the principal at the elementary school Mr. Sokha and our long-time

friend and contact Hak we started the program with 6 students. We now have 33 students, thanks to the support of our donors. Each student gets their Cambodian school fees paid and are given school supplies, a bike, English lessons, computer lessons as well as weekly tutoring in English.




This past year we moved the first 8 students to live in the city with Hak and his family so they can learn to live city life, attend grade 12 and find opportunities for their futures. The kids are working hard and so appreciate this opportunity. Their families are also pleased that their children will get out of the brick factories and find a new and better life.

Each year we take all the kids for an outing, something they never get to do and it is great to let them see and experience different places and activities. Last week we took them to the Cultural Centre and Theme Park in Siem Reap and they had a great time.

This year we will also be building some new homes and renovating some houses for the Smart Kids student's families, that are living in dire situations, as well as providing​ ​them with toilets, wells for water and all 33 kids will be able to get solar electricity. A Big Thank You to the Lush Charity Pot program. We will have twenty-three of Lush​ ​staff from North America joining us to build and renovate these houses and they are providing all the funding for this project. We are very excited and will keep you posted on this amazing transformation and relief for these families.

Thanks to all,
Adrianne and Rick