Over 600 children attend Children's Rights Day at Our Lady of the Smile Church in Cambodia

Our Lady of the Smile Catholic Church in Chomkarcheang village, Takeo province located in southern Cambodia celebrated Children's Rights Day on June 25 to help more than 600 children to understand their rights.

The Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler MEP, said that it is good to guide the children to understand their rights, such as the right to live with parents, the right to education by going to school, the right to get adequate food to grow, and the right to protection. They also have the right to have fun and receive health services when sick.

Bishop added that these children's rights will guide them to see their future.

The 600 Children were of the ages between 3 and 17.

Even in the rain, all the children attended in small groups and received guidance from the Scouts about the Children’s Rights in Cambodia as well as in the world.

Thu Rady, a 12-year-old student at Nikrothearam Primary School from Trapeang Ampil village, said that she attends the event every year.

"Today, I learned about children's rights and I remember that there are five kinds of children's rights: parents, to eat food, to go to school, to play and go to the hospital when they are sick," Rady said.

Nhek Houy, a sixth-grade student at Wat Nikrot Primary School in Ang Ta Ngil village, said that this is a program that makes children happy and gets toys, sanitaryware, and food.

Houy told, "I came here, in addition to the items I received, to understand the community, understand children's rights, men's rights, women's rights and ask my friends to participate in this program more."

Phoeun Sophean, the head of the church’s scouts, said, "The children get these benefits when they understand their rights. They also know their roles and the benefits that give them the right to live in rights. All four of them [a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, and proper healthcare] are able to live in the right orbit.”

Above all, it was a meeting to provide joy and a place for learning activities together.

The Scouts of Our Lady of the Smile Catholic Church in Chomkarcheang Community gather every week for education and entertainment, with between 300 and 500 children in attendance. In particular, for the past two years, these groups have been transformed into home visits, due to the pandemic.

According to Trading Economics, there are 16.7 million people in Cambodia in 2020. Ninety-seven percent of the population are Buddhists. The Catholics are a minority of about 75000 according to thediplomat.com. The Cambodian Church consists of one Apostolic Vicariate and two Apostolic Prefectures with 63 parishes.

News provided by Dalis