Since 1994

Friends-International was born on the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia in August 1994.

Our original project, Mith Samlanh (which means ‘Friends’ in Khmer – all our programs use a local language version of ‘Friends’ in their name), first provided life-saving services to the numerous street children found in the capital following years of genocide and conflict in the country. Our services then evolved in response to the needs and changes that marginalized children were experiencing, and we developed support for families, for education and for access to employment.

We used the lessons learned and then went on to expand, replicate and adapt our programs and partnerships in the ensuing years, developing a social enterprise model across South East Asia and beyond. This combines best practice models and systems of social business and child protection which ensure comprehensive and creative solutions and services for all marginalized children, families and communities.