Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Cambodia is one of my favourite places I've been lucky enough to visit. Before heading there I didn't know too much about the country but once there I met some of the friendliest people on all my travels. The more I got to know about Cambodia the more it inspired me.

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been crippled by decades of war, international embargoes, political instability and economic stagnation, Cambodia's infrastructure and social support networks are only slowly being rebuilt. The majority of the population live in rural areas, are poor and lack access to even the most basic services.

With over half of the population under the age of 18 years, there are serious concerns for their economic and social well-being.

The death of an estimated 2 million Cambodians (almost 25% of the population, at that time) in the early 1970s and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, which followed, has left a lasting and continuing legacy in Cambodia.

30 years after these events, the effects are still being felt today as the decimation of the extended family network by the separation and murder of family members, means that children whose parents die, are ill, too poor or otherwise unable to look after them, have a low likelihood of being looked after in their own community.

For the luckier ones, a state or private run orphanage offers life and the chance of a future. For many others, the streets or rubbish tips of the major cities, such as the capital, Phnom Penh, are their only means of survival - begging or becoming the victims of the child sex trade. Many simply die, unknown, unloved and unaccounted for.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.