Welcome 

Since 1998 John and Tess Castledine have been active in rural Cambodian communities working side by side with the Khmer people. Their mission is to enable Cambodians to care for their own children, widows and those in need in their communities.

Responding to the needs of the community

Sovanapoom Care was initially established as a response to the desperate needs of people in one community in Kandal Province. John’s vision is to reach every province in Cambodia with community based programs training and equipping young people with life skills, good character and morals so that they can be successful and in turn help their own family, community and their country.
 
Today the people of Sovanapoom are contributing together as a community to provide care for children,  vocational training, refuge centre, providing emergency assistance with food and medical care for the local community and a regular outreach assisting up to 2,800 people weekly.
 

Children of the Killing Fields

John and Tess have been featured in a new documentary, directed by Australian filmmaker Mark-John Winter. 

 
Called Child of the Killing Fields, this feature length film shares stories from the survivors of Year Zero and shows the amazing impact of Sovanapoom Care’s work with the poorest rural people all over Cambodia. The film had a screening in Adelaide recently and raised $10,000 for Sovanapoom’s innovative Sustainable Aquaponics project.
 

Sustainable Aquaponics

 

Community Education Centre

The community of Sovanapoom quickly outgrew its’ original building by the Mekong River in Kandal Province and a new Community Centre is under construction. In January 2008 we moved into the new building, but we still require additional funding to complete the construction of this Community Centre. Once completed, the new building will have classrooms, a large auditorium, office, vocational training area and teacher accommodation.
As a community initiative established in one of the poorest areas of Cambodia, the students of Sovanapoom are unable to pay for their education or care. Presently all funding for this work is received through donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and other organisations. It’s only as they continue to receive donations of funds that all this work is able to continue - caring for the children, providing an education and vocational training, and continuing to assist the local community. It’s never been easy but the visible difference in the lives of the children and young people being helped here is encouraging.

Project Partnership 

Sovanapoom Care is proud to be a partner for Project J846N Sovanapoom Care with Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993), an Australian AusAID approved Non Government Organisation carrying out quality humanitarian projects with approved partners and providing aid to relieve poverty and provide long term solutions.
 
Global Development Group takes responsibility of the project according to AusAID rules providing a governance role and assisting in the areas of planning, monitoring, evaluating and auditing to ensure the projects are carried out to AusAID requirements. Tax deductible receipts for gifts over $2 with a preference for this approved aid and development project will be issued by Global Development Group for project J846N. If projects are overfunded, funds may be directed towards other approved project activities. Please note that no non-development (evangelistic, political or welfare) activities are funded by any of these projects.

For more information please visit www.globaldevelopment.org.au

Supporting this venture

It's only with the help of concerned people like yourself that this work can continue.  Donations to approved projects are tax deductible for donors in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.  Please view the donations page to see how you can contribute to the future of these young people in Cambodia.

If you have any queries or if would like further information on any areas of the work of Sovanapoom Care please have a read through this site, check out our FAQs page, or contact us directly.