Michelle and Friends Run for the Kids 

I travelled with my friend Julia through South East Asia for 2 months in Dec 2009/Jan 2010. We saw the devastating poverty and suffering in the region, and what struck us most was the countless number of children working and begging on the streets, especially in Cambodia. When we visited Friends the Restaurant, Friends n Stuff and the ChildSafe Centre in Phnom Penh, we saw a glimpse of the fabulous work of Friends-International, and were given some hope for the millions of children - too many - who must toil on the streets instead of going to school and playing as children.

Upon arriving back in Australia, we felt a need to do something to help the children we saw who touched our hearts. So I recruited Julia and 11 other friends to run in the 14km division of the annual Melbourne event, the "Run For the Kids" charity marathon on Sunday March 14th 2010, to raise money for Friends-International.

It was a tremendous effort from our team of 13, from the physical strain of training and running the distance on the day (several members of our team struggled with injuries), to the hardwork of fundraising and spreading the word about Friends-International. With the generous support of family, friends and colleagues who sponsored our run, we raised AUD $3213 for Friends-International.”

Money raised by Michelle and her friends will go towards 3 Friends projects in 3 different countries: Kaliyan Mith (Siem Reap, Cambodia); Peuan Mit (Vientiane, Laos); Teman Baik (Banda Aceh, Indonesia). Thanks Michelle and team for your support!!

Happy Birthday Elise! 

In February my sister and I traveled through Cambodia. We had dinner in the Friends Restaurant in Phnom Penh and were impressed by the good work that Friends is doing. I particularly liked the structural way in which the street children are helped to build up their own future, instead of just giving them money and food.

Back home I kept thinking about your organization and checked out your website to see what I could do to support you and I had a great idea. Yesterday it was my birthday so I asked all my friends and family to donate some money instead of giving me a present. I sincerely believe that the street children in Asia can use the money more than I do, so I've just donated $150 through your website."

Thanks very much for your support Elise, and happy birthday!

Bad taste brings good! 

During our trip to Asia end of November 2009, Christoph and I visited your shops and restaurants in Cambodia and we were amazed by the work that is done over there. We didn't buy from the street children or give them money (we followed ChildSafe's advice!) but instead we supported your restaurants (incredibly delicious!) and bought our souvenirs and a 'brick' there.

I also noticed that we Europeans are so lucky! I turned 40 on the 9th of February this year and as I am perfectly happy and know that I have quite generous friends, I asked them for a donation instead of presents for my birthday. I was very happy that in total 750 Euro came together, which I have donated to Mith Samlanh.

Here is a picture of the party - don't be puzzled about the outfits - it was a 'bad-taste-party'!!

Friends baking for Friends! 

Jessica, a ten year old girl living in California, recently saw What I See When I Close My Eyes when her parents hosted a living room screening of the movie. Jessica was so moved by the stories of the street living and working kids of Phnom Penh that she was inspired to do something to help. This extraordinary girl then organized six of her friends to help raise money for Friends-International. Seven 10 year old girls, all of them best friend, baked cookies, brownies, blondies, muffins and scones and set up a bake-sale table on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, California. For three hours they appealed, cajoled, persuaded and inspired passers-by to donate money on behalf of the kids of Cambodia and the work being done by Friends-International. These girls told anyone who would listen the stats of street living kids and what Friends-International was doing to help and charmed them all. At the end of the day they raised $1026.00. These girls are Jessica, Maya, Mia, Natalie, Sarah G., Sarah P. and Sarah W and they are simply amazing.

The girl’s drew their own self-portraits inspired by the question 'What do you see when you close your eyes?' see the drawings and photos of the event here.

Friends Party in Belgium 

Kenny visited Friends-International earlier in 2009 and decided that he wanted to do something to help, so after he returned to Belgium he organised a fuindraising event which raised 1180 €. Thanks Kenny!

Friends on Wheels 

Jorma Bosch and Aziza Horsham are from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Five years ago they travelled around the world and visited Cambodia. “The country made a deep impact on us; the complex history, beautiful nature, hospitality of the people and most of all the children and their problems. On recommendation of our motorbike rider we had dinner at Friends restaurant. We enjoyed it and were pleasantly surprised about the initiatives and impressed about the enthusiasm of the staff. We thought: if ever we are going to do something for charity it will be for this organization.”

Five years later and they have started their journey from Amsterdam to Phnom Penh and are raising money for Friends-International. Support them by visiting http://www.friendsonwheels.nl