Lidy House Welcome Centre

Located in Battambang Province, Lidy House Welcome Centre (Lidy House) was established in the 1980s by a women called Om Parom. After witnessing the murder of both her parents and husband by the Khmer Rouge and her daughter passing away due to measles, Parom decided to open the centre to give children in her community the opportunity for a better life.

Lidy House provides children with a home, access to education and a nurturing environment to grow. The house follows a family-like structure to ensure people feel cared for, the older children mentor the younger ones, and everybody helps with activities.

Some of the daily activities include:

• Attending school and university
• Tending to the centres vegetable garden and rice field
• Attending extracurricular lessons such as English and technology
• Playing sport
• Doing chores to learn responsibility

The stable environment enables children to concentrate on their studies and personal growth, developing a sense of responsibility, dignity, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.

A connection to St Thomas More College

St Thomas More College supports work in Cambodia including Lidy House as part of their community outreach. The college is grounded in values of togetherness, inclusivity and kindness. Each year, a select group of students and staff from the college participate in an immersion to Cambodia and visit the young people living at the Lidy House.