Why Cambodia
A transformational change movement built on partnership
To change a nation, we need to think innovatively. During the first two decades of Transform, our founders funded more than 50% of the operating costs of Transform through their private foundation, with the remainder coming from generous mums and dads, students, churches and business people across Australia and around the world.
This funding allowed Transform to provide a level of care to our children and families that went far beyond what the average child development organisation was able to do. It built a DNA into Transform of genuine partnership – valuing long-term partnerships grounded in shared mission and faith.
Today, we have a deep ‘proof of concept’ seeing incredible fruit from the first generations of Transformers who have now ventured into adulthood and committed to investing back into the younger children who have come to Transform after them.
Cambodia: Context and Need
Cambodia today is a relatively young nation shaped by the trauma of the Khmer Rouge. From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people, or 25% of Cambodia’s population, died through executions, starvation and forced labour. Targeted groups included educated people, faith leaders and ethnic minorities. By the end of the regime, much of the country’s social and professional fabric had collapsed.
Recovery was slowed by Cold War politics. Many Western governments, including Australia, refused to recognise the post‑1979 government installed by Vietnam. The UN seat remained with a coalition that still included the Khmer Rouge, delaying justice and limiting international support. Australia later played a constructive role in the peace process and the 1993 elections.
Poverty has improved but remains significant. Rural families face the greatest hardship, and many households live just above the poverty line. Children experience the deepest impact through poor nutrition, limited services and irregular schooling. Cambodia continues to rely on international development assistance for essential programs.
Protecting our most vulnerable
Street‑connected children face the highest risks. Many beg, scavenge or take informal work to support their families. These pressures limit schooling and increase exposure to exploitation, violence and trafficking. Thousands of children are estimated to live or work on the streets in major cities.
Trafficking is an ongoing concern. Cambodia is ranked Tier 3 in the Trafficking in Persons report, reflecting limited progress in preventing labour exploitation, sex trafficking and online criminal activity. Poverty, debt and migration leave many children vulnerable.
This is the environment in which Transform works. Families carry the effects of conflict, poverty and instability. Children grow up with few opportunities and limited support. Long‑term, community‑based investment helps children build safety, confidence, learning and leadership – giving them a stronger future and helping strengthen their communities.
What you may not know about Poverty
overty reshapes a child’s life. It brings sickness, poor nutrition and delayed development. It shuts children out of school, health care and safe spaces, leaving them vulnerable to harm and exploitation.
Poverty is more than a lack of money.
It removes choice, limits opportunity and teaches a child that their voice does not matter. One young person said, “I have dreams, but they will never come true. So please don’t let me dream at all.”
In Cambodia, many children grow up hearing that their situation is fixed by fate or karma. They are told they cannot change their future in this life.
Scripture offers a different truth.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
When children hear this and receive steady support, they begin to see themselves as valued, created in God’s image and capable of building a new future.
The Transform vision: A catalyst for change in the countries that need it the most
The future of Transform is global and built on sustainable change. We started in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, but our vision is to expand to Cambodia’s provinces and then outside of Cambodia.
We establish our Life Centres in the poorest areas – each centre enrolling up to 500 children who would otherwise be forced to work the streets by scavenging, begging and at risk of human trafficking or exploitation. Our plan is to be the fence at the top of the cliff, rather than the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, seeking to ensure these children don’t end up as targets of predators and scammers who would otherwise prey on them.
Children gain encouragement, learning support, leadership development and the chance to build skills that will serve them for life. This includes literacy, numeracy, leadership, ethics, creativity, and problem solving.
As they grow, we walk with them through new stages of life, helping them discover their strengths and choose a future filled with purpose.
We believe sustainable change happens when children themselves become leaders who strengthen their families, communities and nation.
As we look into our future, we see so much more. We seek to build a national change movement that gives the next generation the tools they need to be the influencers in their communities. This will break the poverty cycle and provide leaders to take their nation forward with integrity, humility and confidence.
We are innovators, disruptors and visionaries – social entrepreneurs with a passion to see lasting change…but the future of Transform is not about us – it’s about the kids.
They are the key to transform nations.