Phnom Penh – Children living on the water in Kompong Luong commune, Krakor district, Pursat province, have faced hard labor and not attended school for education due to difficult daily livelihood.

Ms. CHIM Rina, Program Manager of Prosperity Organization of Pursat province, told Reaksmey Kampuchea by phone on July 15, 2009 that it was hard for the organization to persuade and counsel the children and parents on child labor and education because they live in the house floating on the water and live in a mobile manner, periodically in that or those place, as the water rises or recedes. In particular, their parents refuse to allow their children to go to school for education because they live off their children's labor. If their children go to school, who will support the family's living?

Ms. Rina added that the children living on the water were involved in very hard labor, by going out for fishing from 1 am to dawn. While Miss SORM Chanry, Child Rights Assistant of Prosperity Organization of Pursat province, said that some children went out for fish from morning to 8 or 9 pm, some others go out for fishing day and night. In general, they have little sleep.

Regarding the activities of the children in Pursat province, Ms. CHIM Rina stated that Prosperity Organization in Pursat province had worked on the activities of child education. The organization has carried out many activities related to education. On June 12, 2009, the organization raised awareness of child labor to reduce child hard labor and to promote children's return to school.

The organization has also had trainings for dropouts to enable their return to school and provided scholarships to poor students. For adults, the organization has opened non-formal educational courses, including courses of literacy and vocational training, and upon the study completion, the organization will supply materials for career commencement. In the meantime, the organization has also provided the children's parents with agricultural techniques.

The Program Manager of the organization added that the organization also established community pre-school where children aged from three may have access to education and money-saving club for children's self-help.