Laughter and games echo along the street of Aziza’s Place, a stark contrast to the where the children are from, Steung Meanchey, Phnom Penh’s municipal dumpsite and city slums. Children and families dig through rubbish for items that can be recycled. 1,100 tons of rubbish, including medical waste, was disposed here daily. Picking rubbish yields no more than $1.50 per day, an insufficient amount to feed a family. Life at the dumpsite is a tragic story of neglect for humankind. The people who dwell in these ruthless conditions are exposed to an extremely hazardous and toxic environment. Combined with little hope of ever escaping this cycle of poverty makes this way of life unsuitable for any human being and especially so for growing children.

The future for children picking rubbish is grim. Families at Steung Meanchey are so destitute that they depend on their children’s income to sustain their livelihood. This coupled with illegitimate fees to attend public school pose enormous obstacles to receiving a public education. The Cambodian public school is a system stretched for teachers who themselves are working with very little in terms of teaching materials and building infrastructure. Girls are amongst the most vulnerable population affected by these horrific conditions; for them, a path of exploitation is a looming reality. Income from rubbish picking does not provide parents with sufficient money to feed and house their children. Therefore, most of the families must forego basic necessities such as health care and education.