About SRMCDO

The Siem Reap Muslim Community Development Organization (SRMCDO) is a small, grass-roots, not-for-profit community organization. Founded in 2006 by a group of concerned community members, they aimed to alleviate the effects of poverty within their small community (of approximately 250 families, predominately Islamic Chams). The NGO is based in the community of Stueng Thmey, however endeavors to cater to all Islamic Chams in the Siem Reap Province in time.

At present, members of this community primarily work within the field of subsistence agriculture, seasonal tourism work and butchery. Many older people are uneducated and come from rural villages from throughout Cambodia. While younger people have greater opportunities today they are still confined to family businesses, conservative ideas and generally discouraged from attending schooling. On top of this, they face extra obstacles due to the discrimination of the Cham people and therefore added difficulty in procuring employment. Unfortunately, this has created greater disparity between this minority group and greater society, contributing to their continuing cycle of poverty. By training community members both young and old in tangible skills that can spur on employment we will be breaking this cycle and allowing for a better future for these peoples.

Since its inception the SRMCDO has begun a number of projects to cater for the above mentioned problems and to improve the community’s livelihoods through education, awareness-raising, skills training and income generation. With the creation of the mosque and school/office buildings the teaching of both the Quran and English began. This was to enhance their spirituality and education. English is regarded as a highly valued skill in Cambodia, primarily due to tourism and better opportunities for employment and communication. Other projects have included; workshops in First Aid, Health and Nutrition, a small women’s handicraft project, IT training and scholarships at the ACE English school in Siem Reap. All of these projects have aimed to create better opportunities for community members in the future.

We really need your help to build an orphanage centre for us in Siem Reap,Cambodia. We are planning to help orphans and poor students in Cambodia to get a higher education in order to reduce the Islamic communities. I belief that when people have knowledge, they will have everything. Thanks for your reading and we are waiting to see you there or you can contact us for more information about us at srmcdo@gmail.com; matfichkry@yahoo.com; zakyabdulsomad@gmail.com; tel: International call       (+855) 17 925 605 / 96 400 7777