The NGO "Awareness Cambodia" is establishing in Cambodia "homes" for children whose parents have died from AIDS, the first of which is located on 1 ha of land in the mountain area of Kampong Spoe province. The existing facilities are a house presently occupied by 40 children, toilet and washing facilities, a guard house and a store room. There are two water wells (installed by UNICEF), one operated by a hand pump  and one operated by solar pump (United Mission Australia Ltd provide the solar system for the solar pump). The water system is being prepared so the children can have running water.

In order to develop useful skills in the children, create work activities and produce food, it was decided to set up an Ecological farm with livestock and food and fodder crops. The University of Tropical Agriculture Foundation (UTA) was asked to make the plan for the farm, to train the workers and to supervise the activities. "Thanks to support from "United Mission (Australia) Limited and Mission Finance Limited in Hong Kong"  the ecological farm began on the 3rd of March 2002 now 22nd of June the project is running and we are convince that this approach will make a major contribution for the children.

The challenge

It is planned to establish an orphanage and an Ecofarm in each of the 23 Provinces in Cambodia. Awareness Cambodia has already obtained the land to start in Prey Veng Province in October/November 2002

Children involvement - training component

One of the most important features of the project is the children involvement. On 14 March 2002 the sunshine house children visited UTA farm and had the opportunity to see the different components of the Ecofarm and to understand the integrated farming system. After visiting all the activities the children made drawings of what they expected in the Ecofarm at Sunshine house. Taking advantage of the Khmer new year holydays On 19-20-21 April 2002 12 of the oldest children went to UTA farm.

Now the Ecofarm is running and we are in a learning process to get the children involve and to encourage them to learn as much as they can from the different activities in the farm.

Other Activities at Sunshine House

 - A multifunctional building is up and running.
 - The main kitchen was improved and biogas is being used
 - A biodigester is being connected to the toilets in the main house
 - A duck pen is being finished