Sareka's children paintings project

In 2007 Sareka began the children's painting project. This was the first project that Sareka instigated with the children of the dumpsite and it was highly successful. For the first time in the children's lives they were spared from the drudgery of full time work and given the chance to free their creative spirits by painting. Sareka sold the paintings in Cambodia and to friends and supporters overseas, and with the money generated, we were able to purchase new paint brushes, paints and canvases and keep the project alive. The project was so successful that we were able to use the extra money generated to aid the dump site community with medical treatments, rice and protective clothing. Most importantly, by painting the children were liberated from child labour, and for the first time in their life could do something the really enjoyed doing.

Thanks to friends in the Netherlands and America the Children's painting project was a massive success. Several bulk orders of paintings were purchased which were in turn sold successfully in their countries. The profits made were then again used to purchase more paintings.

In 2009 Sareka opened the Sareka Gallery on a popular tourist beach in Sihanoukville, and the Children's Painting Project was given new life. Besides selling paper products from the 'Sareka Paper Recycling Project', the gallery also displays and sells the children's well-known paintings.