Protecting fundamental rights for all
PSE’s story began in 1995, when Christian and Marie-France des Pallières, a French retired couple, witnessed a heartbreaking reality: children working, eating and living on an open-air dumpsite. They turned their indignation into action, responding to the children's simple yet powerful wish for « one meal a day and the chance to go to school.»
Today, PSE supports the most disadvantaged children and their families in Cambodia, ensuring their basic rights are respected and empowering them to break the cycle of poverty.
Right to Education
PSE ensures access to quality education for marginalized children. Through tailored educational programs, the association helps break the cycle of poverty and gives children the tools to shape their own futures.
Find out more about our actions in favor of education
The right to education is guaranteed by Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Right to a Decent Standard of Living
By providing daily meals and basic healthcare, PSE helps children live in dignified conditions, receive adequate nutrition, and access essential services for their physical and mental well-being.
The right to a decent standard of living is guaranteed by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Right to Protection from Exploitation and Abuse
Pour un Sourire d’Enfant protects children from extreme poverty in Cambodia, and from child exploitation, abuse and violence, by offering them a safe and caring environment, far from hardship and insecurity.
The right to protection against abuses is guaranteed by article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Right to Health and Medical care
By offering complete medical care and services to all the children and young people in its programs - including hygiene education, preventive health campaigns, first aid, medical consultations as well as the fight against malnutrition - the association ensures their right to have the best health possible and to have access to the care they need.
Right to health and medical care is guaranteed by article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Right to Participation and Expression
PSE empowers children to speak up, participate actively in their education, and make choices for their own lives, helping them become the architects of their own future.
Respect for children’s views is guaranteed by article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
All these actions allow the association to make a significant impact on the respect of several human rights, in particular children's rights, in compliance with the fundamental principles of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals.