AsiaLIFE

Based in Sihanoukville, M’Lop Tapang operates several programmes to ensure youth at risk can have a safer present and a more promising future. Founder Maggie Eno explains the NGO’s origins and aims to Mark Bibby Jackson. Photo by James Grant.

For many the sight of a group of kids sleeping on the beach in the shade of an umbrella tree is part of the tropical idyll that lured them to Cambodia in the first place. For Maggie Eno it spelt need.

Eight years on, M’Lop Tapang, the NGO Eno established to protect vulnerable street children in Sihanoukville, has nine centres as well as various outreach activities including a mobile library and a back-to-school programme.

Increased tourism and economic development might bring more money to Cambodia’s major port and resort town, but it also brings rural migration. Living in slums and working on the streets and on the beaches, Sihanoukville’s street child population is a growing problem.

What does the name M’Lop Tapang mean?
Tapang is the name of the umbrella tree that you see in Cambodia. When we started in 2003, five street children slept under one on the beach. It was their shelter, that’s where we met them. M’Lop means shade but also denotes protection.

Why was the organisation established in Sihanoukville?
We started the NGO to meet the needs, we were certainly not planning on starting any programme at all. I was volunteering with Eve Saosarin [director and coordinator] at another programme here. The problem came to us, and we tried to find others to help in government and NGOs, but no one had the plans or resources to meet the children’s needs, so we kind of had to do it. We could not just walk away at that stage.

What are some of the programmes that M’Lop Tapang runs in Sihanoukville?
We started with outreach, working with kids on the beach, trying to link them to families, get them meals, medical care and back to school. Outreach still continues to be our biggest programme and the 26 outreach social workers are the first contact with a new child, youth or family. They work with the entire family to help them find lasting solutions to the issues that forced the children to the street in the first place. Other main programmes are education, community education through mobile library and shelters in the poorest slum areas, child protection, prevention programmes and recovery services for children, including counselling, legal and medical support, and reintegration to safe homes. Harm reduction services for young people using drugs include a drop-in centre with specialist services and staff. There are also vocational training programmes for youth, safe night shelters for temporary placement during the family reintegration process, and recreation, sports and an extensive arts programme.

How do children come to take part in M’Lop Tapang projects?
We work with over 3,000 children. They are mostly referred to us by our social workers. Many street children are also attracted to activities we provide to make MT programmes more attractive than street life—in which they have freedom, make money, have some fun and have no rules from adults. So, we have circus classes, music programmes, computer training and football. All are strong magnets to children who are on the streets.

What do you think are the greatest dangers faced by children in Cambodia?
Everything stems from poverty. Poor children often do not have a safe, reliable adult present in their life to take care of them. They are exposed to many high risk situations, violence, sexual abuse, discrimination, exposure to drugs and alcohol at a young age, with no access to education. To solve these issues, it is vital we work with the entire family. We try to help the families to overcome problems by listening to them, building trust and offering support for where they need it. We also do a lot of work empowering children and, building up their self-esteem so they feel confident to speak out. We have youth committees and seven different networks of kids to ensure their voices are heard, their ever-changing needs are met and that we provide what they need us to provide.

What can people do to help M’Lop Tapang?
The best thing to do is follow the ChildSafe 7 tips (see thinkchildsafe.org), which we promote all over Sihanoukville through ChildSafe Network and all over Cambodia with Friends International. Giving to children will keep them on the beaches or streets. It also undoes the hard work of our social workers who are trying to get them off the unsafe streets and back to the family, education and training. It’s important to not try and solve the problem yourself as a visitor, it’s much better to allow trained Khmer social workers to offer longer lasting family solutions. Doing it yourself can in fact be harmful. Please instead refer to us via the ChildSafe hotline at 012 478 100.

What projects do you have planned for the future?
This year we have an important new project, in alliance with Friends International restaurants, we are opening a restaurant in Sihanoukville. It will be part of our hospitality training programme for youth, as well as be a social enterprise to generate our own income towards running programmes. We want to rely less on donor funding, which is not always reliable or sustainable.

You are a mother yourself, how do you find bringing up a young daughter in Cambodia?
I have a five-year-old daughter and am a single mum. I find bringing her up here incredible in many ways, and as her dad is Khmer, it’s important for her to see him daily. My daughter is growing up to be a very independent, confident and happy little girl, with so many Khmer and Western friends. Because we live here and have a simple life, she is not very materialistic and not at all judging, even at her young age. She happily plays with every child, any age and from any place. We will never be rich, but we have lots of rich life experiences that are far more valuable for us both.