Supporting the development of Cambodian communities

Recognising the important role of businesses in our society, Psych Press is committed to the active supporting of initiatives to develop communities around the world.

We believe in leveraging different opportunities to use our skills and capabilities to give back to society. As part of this philosophy we support the Foundation for Developing Cambodian Communities (FDCC). This Australian-based non-denominational non-Government Organisation operates the Mekhala House orphanage located in Prey Veng, a rural province of Cambodia. Mekhala House began operation in October 2005 based on an identified need to provide assistance to orphaned and under-privileged girls in the region. Since that time Mekhala House has grown to be a home for 42 girls and 3 male siblings. It also provides employment for 11 permanent full-time staff.

The focus is on girls because they traditionally experience a higher level of disadvantage in Cambodia. There is a severe lack of social infrastructure to care for orphaned girls in the region, whereas boys are often able to live in the pagodas (temples) with Buddhist monks, who channel community support to these children. Orphaned girls are also at risk in Cambodia of being abducted by sex traffickers and forced into prostitution.

The Mekhala House project differentiates itself from many other orphanages by providing a high level of care to a relatively small number of children. FDCC aims to provide the children with the level of emotional, material and educational support that would be found in a typical middle class Cambodian family. Therefore, the staff-to-children ratio is higher than other similar organisations.

You can read more about this project and FDCC’s philosophy in http://fdcc.org.au.