CSARO goal: Assist waste pickers to better their social and economic conditions through skills development and self help activities Improve the communities' capacity to develop itself for a sustainable future

Waste picker children learning from hygiene IEC materials

The mobile outreach program takes CSARO's commitment to improving peoples livelihoods and the environment out onto the streets. Using an innovative education program that can be delivered where the waste pickers work and in people's communities, CSARO staff are out day and night training, encouraging and caring for those they meet.

Waste picker education

There are now 18 sites in Phnom Penh that the team visit on a regular schedule, 12 in daytime and 6 at night. There have been 1329 training sessions delivered at these sites throughout the year, covering health issues, hygiene, safety and child rights. The training sessions use a variety of techniques including songs, role play, pictures and discussion. They are specially designed to cater for a range of literacy levels and literacy/numeracy training is also included to improve skills and encourage children to return to school where possible. The team is always developing materials having created 22 new sessions and over 200 new teaching resources (handouts and pictures) during the year.

Waste picker children learning about first aid

First aid treatment is taught to the participants so that they can administer this to fellow waste pickers when the need arises. The Mobile Outreach team provides waste pickers with medical supplies such as gloves, iodine and bandages. For individuals with serious injuries, the team provides referrals to appropriate health service providers. In 2005, 665 waste pickers, mainly children, received first aid and four individuals were referred for treatment of serious injuries.

For women and girls, counseling sessions on issues such as reproductive health, sexual abuse, family planning and mental health are provided. 55 waste pickers were involved in this program during 2005, with 10 of the participants being referred on to clinics for further support.

Waste picker children receiving literacy education

In June 2005, the team organized a group of over 60 waste picker children to participate in International Children Rights Day festival at Wat Phnom park. CSARO distributed T-shirts, caps and education materials on child rights.

In December, a two day trip to Sihanoukville was organized for 54 children from the education program. This was an opportunity to get to know each other and CSARO staff better and learn about Cambodia's natural environment.

Community education

Different communities are also supported through the MOE program. The following educational activities took place throughout the year:

Young waste pickers participating in International Children's Day

• 74 training sessions with 13 urban slum communities in Phnom Penh, reaching a total of 346 participants. Subjects included using latrines, community sewer drainage, personal and food hygiene, and cholera. Communities were also encouraged to discuss problems and potential improvements in their own communities as part of this training.
• 42 sessions in schools, reaching 732 students, on the subject of community and school garbage disposal.
• Working with the authorities and other groups as part of World Environment Day to clean up some low income communities within Phnom Penh. Over 1100 participated in this day with CSARO distributing 100 T-shirts and caps. Local newspapers and television reported on the event taking the message to many more in the city.
• Running a community waste collection day in Samaki communities