The Sobbhana Women's Foundation

For over 20 years, the Sobbhana Women's Foundation has worked to improve the lives of Cambodian Women and Children by focusing on three key areas of development:

• Creating access to basic Healthcare
• Funding Educational opportunities for young girls
• Providing Essential Skills Training

Creating access to basic Healthcare:

It is nearly impossible to imagine life as one of Cambodia's four million rural residents without access to proper healthcare.  Poor roads and a lack of transportation make traveling from a remote village to a regional health clinic almost out of the question.  Those that are able to make the trek often discover they cannot afford the medicine they desperately need.

During their monthly visits, Sobbhana's all-volunteer Medical and Health Team provide free health care, including medicine, to the rural poor.  Among the volunteers are trained doctors, dentists and medical workers who have dedicated themselves to assisting those who cannot access healthcare.  

In addition, throughout each visit volunteers provide instructional training in personal health and hygiene.  Basic supplies, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap are dispensed to residents. 

Funding Educational opportunities for young girls:

Since 1997, Sobbhana has funded a scholarship program for young girls from destitute families.  The scholarship includes allowances for school supplies, snacks and uniforms, as well as supplementing the low salary of female teachers.

Sobbhana's dedicated volunteers then follow each child's progress through monthly visits to the families and schools.   For $10US a month, you can support a Cambodian girl's education, allowing her the opportunity to secure a better future tomorrow.

Providing Essential Skills Training

Sobbhana believes in not simply offering assistance, but empowering those people it is dedicated to serving.  Training women in the ancient Cambodian tradition of silk weaving provides them the opportunity to learn tangible skills.  Women are trained at one of three training centers.  After completing their training, the women's products are purchased by Sobbhana for sale through the Sobbhana Boutique.

Where Sobbhana is Today

Today, through the work of the Women's Foundation, Sobbhana is reviving the ancient tradition of silk weaving and simultaneously creating job opportunities for women in Cambodia.  All of the proceeds from the sale of the exquisite handmade silk products available on this site fund the Sobbhana Foundation's social initiatives.

The History of Sobbhana

Working to improve the lives of Cambodian Women & Children for over 20 years.

Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Marie established The Sobbhana Foundation in 1985 at the Site B refugee camp on the Cambodian-Thai border.   For 10 years, Sobbhana provided shelter for young Cambodian orphans whose parents were killed in armed conflicts and provided assistance and skills training to destitute women.

Following the Paris Peace Accords in 1991, Sobbhana shifted its focus to address the critical needs of women and their children.  In a country devastated by decades of turmoil, Sobbhana is dedicated to helping Cambodian women build a better future.  Today, Sobbhana is a well-respected organization led by local women, actively contributing to the reconstruction of Cambodia.