Srey Lak Program for Girls

The Srey Lak Program for Girls

In many developing countries, women and girls are the poorest of the poor. They are the most marginalised and disadvantaged, suffering the deepest deprivations, exploitation, and injustice—whether physical, sexual, or economic.

At the core of this poverty is a lack of opportunity. Education changes everything, yet for destitute girls in Cambodia, lack of education leaves them with almost no options.

The Srey Lak Program for Girls (SPG) exists to change that. It provides food, education, and the chance of a future for some of Cambodia’s most vulnerable girls – many of whom have spent their entire lives on rubbish tips or in the streets. SPG funds girls to attend the People Improvement Organisation (PIO) in Phnom Penh, an award-winning school that has transformed thousands of lives despite constant struggles to meet its own funding needs.

Over the last four years, the program has enabled girls not only to eat reguarly and learn, but also to thrive. Some have gone on to meaningful employment, while others are studying at university—breaking cycles of poverty that once seemed inescapable.

Two sisters before and after admission to PIO

How It All Began

The journey to create the program is deeply personal for its founders Livingston and Miyako Armytage.

2001 – Nepal: They supported the 4-year-old daughter of Tibetan refugees through to her high school graduation.

2006 – Cambodia: Liv photographed a little girl named Srey Lak on Phnom Penh’s Stung Mean Chey rubbish dump.

2011 – Italy: While preparing a new book, Liv wanted to use her photo for the cover. To do so, they needed her permission. Friends in Cambodia miraculously found her—still living on the dump. On a philanthropist’s advice, they placed her (real name Vorleak) and her sister Somali into PIO.

2019 – Australia: Miyako joined Dharma Care’s board and launched the Srey Lak Program for Girls, named in honour of Vorleak, a living proof of the transformative power of education.

Though Vorleak and Somali eventually left PIO, their story lit the spark for a program that now gives many other girls a real chance at life.

Why Your Support Matters

Every dollar you give helps educate and protect girls who might otherwise face a lifetime of exploitation and hardship.

AU$1,000 supports one child’s tuition for a year

AU$1,655 covers a year of university fees

All donations are tax-deductible in Australia. Dharma Care retains only 15% for administration, well below the industry average of 22%, ensuring your gift goes directly to the girls who need it most.

Be Part of the Change

When you support the Srey Lak Program for Girls, you are not just giving food and education. You are giving dignity, safety, and opportunity. You are helping to end cycles of poverty and injustice—one girl at a time.

👉 Donate today and help transform lives.

More information: peopleimprovement.org

Annual Target: $30,000

Testimonial:

“The PIO school would like to thank Dharma Care and all your donors for your generous support in recent years. These donations are vital to ensuring we continue to provide board and education for the girls in our school, some of whom would be at great risk and have very few opportunities without the care and education we provide. We also greatly appreciated your visit to our school last year to see first-hand the work we are doing in providing these girls with a promising future.  Thank you so much.”
Phymean Noun, Founder

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