HumanTrafficking.org | Cambodia NGO: Hagar

A web resource for combating human trafficking

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Cambodia

Hagar

Address

P.O. Box 1521
Phnom Penh
Cambodia

Contact Information

If calling from Cambodia:

Tel: 023 219 045
Fax: 023 213 375

If calling from overseas:

Tel: +855 23 219 045
Fax: +855 23 213 375

Website

www.hagarinternational.org

Email

info@hagarproject.org

Activities

Hagar focuses its efforts on assisting the women and children in Cambodia who are dealing with serious crises in their lives, as well as those who are the most vulnerable and at risk. Founded in 1994, Hagar is a Swiss-based Christian development organization which has been helping Cambodia’s disadvantaged women and children by giving them a second chance to rebuild their lives through a range of integrated social and economic projects.

Hagar consists of a number of projects and businesses which focus on the prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration of women, mothers and children who have been abused, abandoned, trafficked and impoverished. The projects and businesses also operate together to integrate the spiritual, educational, social and economic needs of vulnerable women and children.

Prevention

In an attempt to break the poverty cycle, Hagar maintains the Water Filter Programs, School Construction and Support Programs. Hagar also strengthens its prevention program through the Community Learning Center which will address the learning needs of women and children in poor areas of Phnom Penh.

Hagar views education as crucial in breaking the poverty cycle. Hagar’s school feeding program, Nourish to Learn, will provide practical incentives to those who decide if a child attends school - parents, teachers and children. The holistic model offers incentives to each decision making group. These include school supplies, and take-home food rations including fortified Hagar Soya So! beverages. Incentives also include teaching resources, teachers’ stipends, teacher training and parenting groups.

Throughout 2006 Hagar will be fundraising to support the Nourish to Learn Program, which for only US $100 per child per academic year will help get children into school and keep them there.

Rehabilitation

Hagar has a long history of offering quality rehabilitation programs for women and children, through The Hagar Shelter, Children’s program, Foster Home Program and House of Smiles. Our response to the growing issue of trafficking of women and children in Cambodia has been to establish an Aftercare Home for girls, in order to rehabilitate and reintegrate women and children who have been through the trauma of modern day slavery.

Reintegration

After a woman has completed training and is ready to leave Hagar’s Shelter, the reintegration team helps her to settle into a safe environment supporting her in her attempt to secure worthwhile employment, housing and social integration. She can gain employment at one of Hagar’s own commercial enterprises or is helped by the team to find employment with private businesses, hotels and garment factories. A small reintegration loan to start up her own business is also accessible. After she goes back to her community or finds work in Phnom Penh, reintegration staff will visit her monthly for up to two years providing on going support and encouragement as she starts her new life.

The innovative commercial enterprises Hagar has established are Hagar on Time (HOT!), Hagar Soya and Hagar Catering and Facilities Management - provide income earning opportunities to women who have been trafficked, abused, abandoned and impoverished.