Friends-International

Outreach activities are carried out on the streets, in communities and in drop-in centers. Strong trust-based relationships are built with the children and their families over time, their needs assessed and alternatives to street life presented. The Outreach team, made up of trained social workers and medical staff, provides healthcare, medical services, hygiene facilities/materials, non-formal education (mobile schools and libraries to build children’s affinity for school), life skills education and awareness raising (in reproductive health, drugs, hygiene, nutrition, street safety, early childhood care, child rights, safe migration), recreational activities (sports, games) and finally, referrals to other FI projects. In 2013, Outreach served 18,000 marginalized children, youth and caregivers.[6]

FI’s School Reintegration Project (initiated in 1996) aims to provide a path for out-of-school children to reintegrate into the public school system. Children who are able and willing to re-enter school are first enrolled in FI’s remedial education project, where they are brought up to speed in literacy, mathematics, science, geography and history. At the start of the public school year, FI supports him/her to reintegrate into a local school and provides the necessities needed for class. After reintegration is achieved FI provides ongoing support for the child to stay in school through continuous follow-ups, support classes and by encouraging parents to become active participants in their child’s education. In 2013, the project supported the reintegration of 4,000 children and provided remedial education to 400 children.[7]

The Vocational Training Project (initiated in 1995) provides access to professional skills training in order to foster the future employment opportunities of marginalized youth. Depending on the country program, the project offers training in a range of different professions including: barbering/hairdressing, welding, hospitality/ cooking, electronic appliance repair, electronic circuitry, motor mechanics, sewing and beauty/manicure. The program also entails a full range of basic and social services, such as psycho-social counseling, literacy/numeracy education, life skills education and job readiness education. After graduation, FI social workers work together with graduates to help them find employment or start their own micro-enterprises. Periodic follows-up are organized for a minimum of one year to ensure sustained reintegration. In 2013, FI provided 900 youth with vocational training and placed 300 youth in employment/self-employment.[8]

Transitional Homes are temporary shelters for marginalized children separated from their caregivers or in emergency situations. The purpose of the Transitional Home is to facilitate the transition from a state of emergency to a state of recovery and reintegration. Those who stay at the Transitional Homes are provided with a stabilizing environment consisting of hygiene facilities, medical treatment, daily meals and counseling from FI’s social workers. Social workers work to reintegrate the resident into a family environment and, if applicable, offer them a place in FI’s remedial education and vocational training projects. In 2013, 1,000 children and youth were provided shelter at the Transitional Homes.[9]

Flow chart description of the Drug Project's continuum of care.

FI’s Drug Project (initiated in 1998) is one of the only holistic approaches for drug using youth in Cambodia.[10] It provides a set of prevention and harm reduction services to drug using street children and youth as well as services to help them recover from addictions and return to normal life through rehabilitation with family/school reintegration, and training and job placement. The Drug Project was the first established in Cambodia to respond to the growing need for drug programs specifically targeting street youth. Currently FI is one of only three organizations in Cambodia licensed by the government to implement needle and syringe exchange programs.[11] In 2013, 150 children/youth went through voluntary detoxification and 100,000 clean syringes were provided to drug users to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.[12]

FI operates two projects supporting stable income generation: Micro-enterprise (initiated in 2005) and Home Based Production (HBP; initiated in 2003). The first is offered to vocational training graduates as well as marginalized caregivers who are motivated to start their own businesses. FI helps them realize their ambitions by providing business management and skills training, business planning support, and equipment and materials until the enterprise is self-sustainable. Under the latter, HBP, FI provides training to vulnerable caregivers (HIV positive mothers, mothers with young children) in the production of Friends Social Business products to be sold at Friends’n Stuff outlet stores. These projects bring various benefits such as ensuring children can attend school, facilitating family stability and improved childcare, and stimulating local economies. Follow-ups and continuous support are provided to ensure sustainability. In 2013, 450 caregivers received income generation support, benefiting over 1,200 children.[13]

The Family Reintegration Project is based on the principle that the family is the best environment for a child’s development. FI's beneficiaries may be either temporarily separated due to abuse, migration or family dysfunctionality, or may be orphans who were abandoned or whose caregivers died. While children access temporary lodging in FI’s Transitional Home and receive psycho-social support, FI’s social workers conduct family tracing, assess the beneficiary's family environment, and work with dysfunctional and abusive families in order to re-establish family connections and realize reintegration. When direct family reintegration is not safe or possible, FI identifies suitable alternative care options, such as foster care, so that the child is able to grow up as a part of a family. Follows-ups are carried out to ensure the beneficiary's well-being after reintegration. In 2013, 400 children/youth were reintegrated into family environments.[14]