Welcome to CICFO

The Cambodian and International Children Friend Organization (CICFO) is run by two survivors of the Pol Pot regime in the 1980’s.  Botevy and Vanneth started this orphanage in 2006.  

  Botevy and Vanneth are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as are most of the orphanage staff.  The children go to church with these ladies every Sunday and most are heavily involved with The Church.  To learn more about the orphanage itself click here.

Welcome to Cambodia! Today we were officially introduced to the children of CICFO.  

The children formed lines and came up to us in turn.  “Hello, my name is ­­­____, I am ____ years old.  Nice to meet you.”   After every child introduced themselves to us, they sang a few songs from the LDS Primary Children’s Songbook.  These children have the sweetest smiles coupled with some of the saddest stories I’ve ever encountered.  These children do not have very much, but here at CICFO they have love.  You can tell by the way they interact, that they love each other and see one another as brother and sister.  CICFO is a very special family.   

Natalie became better acquainted with the orphanage staff while McKae and I played games with the kids.   

After a few hours of running around with them, it was time for us to leave, exhilarated by the thought of returning to them every day.  There was a small stampede as the children raced to say goodbye with hugs.