It all started at a French restaurant in Phnom Penh, where we met French Canadian artist, Richard Trembley, who offered to give free Creative Art classes to the orphans of the Kolap 4 Orphanage at our Tuol Sleng Center.

Richard teaching Creative Art to a class of orphans.

Artist at work at Cornerstone facility in Phnom Penh.

Every Saturday for a year, Richard taught art to these orphan children. Not only did it help the children learn to draw and paint, but it also instilled in them the realization that they have something unique and valuable that they can contribute to society.

Her Excellency and UNDP Advisor to the Senate with orphans.

Children's tabletop artwork, portraying Cambodian countryside.

Recently, a friend of Richard’s, who is the UNDP Senior Representative and Advisor at the Cambodian House of Senate, organized an exposition of the orphans’ artwork, which was viewed by many VIP's, including Prince Sisowath, (who distributed gifts to the children for their participation), Her Excellency the Chairwoman of the Parliament, members of the National Assembly, Senators, and the media.

Our whole team at the hotel where the orphans stayed.

The kids had never eaten in a fancy restaurant like this.

Some of the money that was raised from the sale of the children's paintings was used for a cultural and educational event that we organized for them. A team of 85 orphans, who had rarely left their orphanage before this, participated in a 2-day excursion that included visits to some of the most beautiful temples of the Angkorian civilization, as well as the famous Angkor Wat temple.

Same group at the gate to Angkor Thom temple.

FCF Project Managers at the temple of Angkor Thom.