Reaction From CCF Over The Claim That CCF Has Evicted the Children

Phnom Penh- On March 12^th, 2018, Mr. Scott Neeson, the founder of CCF (Cambodian Children’s Fund), has announced the news regarding the story of the children which has been published without any verification from the reliable sources or the organization, stating that CCF has evicted the children of a man who could not afford to pay the rental price and electricity bill.

The man is known as Suon Ratana, 34, working as a hand shoes sewer. According to the local news, it has been stated that his children and he has been evicted by CCF due to the reason that he could not afford to pay the organization the rental price and electricity bill.

According to the video, he has described the story of his children from the time they stayed at Mith Samlanh Organization for approximately 1 year, when his oldest daughter could study at state school and the children were supported with the cost of living and the accommodation.

After ending the contract with Mith Somlanh, he was then suggested by the Don Bosco School to connect to CCF to support his children’s study and living. He was then provided a home temporarily and his children were supported to study despite the cost of electricity and water that he needed to pay for their living until he has the ability to support himself then he can distribute some money back to the organization.

“Then, I got a receipt of the cost on the January 1^st, saying that I need to pay the cost of the house rental cost of 80,000 riels and electricity cost.” Mr. Ratana said. “Otherwise, your children will be evicted from the organization and you also cannot stay in this house.”, he continued.

Mr. Scott Neeson, the founder of CCF (Cambodian Children’s Fund)

However, according to Mr. Scott Neeson, he strongly disagreed with this story from the news, posting on Facebook to make a noise on his claim that he really needed the help from the public to spread the story he experienced with Mr. Suon Ratana.

“Late last year, a man arrived at CCF with 3 children, saying he was homeless and wanted us to take in his 3 children, while he started a business. We did what any good charity would do and provided a World Housing home (just $15 a month); his children got taken care of at our facility with 3 meals a day and medical care as they were underfed.” Mr. Scott mentioned.

“We lent $35 for his business. After a few months, he was doing very well but he wouldn’t pay the $15 a month or his electricity costs, and the neighbors complained he had different women at our World Housing community house! Okay, he is doing well and time to take his kids back and move on. His response was a surprise: I will take my kids back if you give me $300. Seriously. If we don’t, he said, I will go to media or other reporters and say bad things about CCF.”, the founder of CCF continued.

Mr. Scott also specified that CCF also has people, families, and grannies to feed and lies cannot hurt the organization along with the thought that “No good media outlet would publish his story without checking with us”.

Suon Ratana, 34, working as a hand shoes sewer, was talking about CCF