About CSSD
Cooperation of Social Services and Development (CSSD) was established on August 8th 2008 and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior on October 28th, 2008. CSSD focuses on improving the circumstances of the “most at risk populations” (MARP) and on reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDs throughout society, in order to both improve the lives of those suffering currently and dism
iss the possibility of any future epidemic. In addition to improving health conditions, CSSD aims to reshape social environments of MARP, in order to decrease stigma and increase acceptance throughout society. By engaging stakeholders and MARP in an open dialogue, CSSD facilitates a greater understanding and knowledge between the local police, establishment owners, health workers, the vulnerable populations, and others. Reducing the negative stigma associated with the MARP population initiates a sense of belonging to the community, transforming present levels of well being and instilling hope for a safer and more positive future. So far, CSSD has directly impacted the lives of over 2510 vulnerable people across seven districts in Phnom Penh. CSSD's target population of entertainment workers (EW) and men who have s*x with men (MSM) are estimated to account to over 80,000 individuals within Cambodia. Staff at CSSD are committed to provide efficient and attentative service that will stimulate change and hope to impact the lives of as many people as possible. CSSD is unique in the way it actively recruits peers from the target communities, knowing their personal experiences are a unique asset and tool in reaching the most marginalized and discreet individuals. CSSD has a committed team who spend time assessing standards of living and monitoring the degree of high risk employment occurring over a large radius. Their research highlights the areas where the prevalence of aid is not sufficiently met and determines where CSSD intervention will be most worthwhile. Whether it be teaching the risk of contracting disease, providing transport to a health clinic, or increasing local authorities' understanding of EW and MSM, CSSD believes that every action is a step towards a brighter future for Cambodia. Why is our work so important? The HIV/AIDS pandemic has been successfully controlled within Cambodia, with over 90% of eligible people living with HIV receiving treatment. Cambodia is one of the few countries in the world having achieved this Millennium Development Goal related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV.) Despite this overwhelming achievement, the HIV/AIDS situation is still very much volatile. The disease prevalence is concentrated among the MARP, stimulating a fear for a second wave of the epidemic if the provision of health services and education are not thoroughly and consistantly offered. CSSD works closely with the most vulnerable groups in society offering attentive, vast, and meaningful attention to ensure that minimum risk levels of contracting HIV/AIDS are secured. This effort is both pursued to benefit the health circumstance of the individual and to cement a optimistic vision for the future well being of the Cambodian people. CSSD's community outreach program aims to generate awareness, spread knowledge, and encourage safe s*xual practices by offering HIV/AIDs education on infection, its risks, and prevention. CSSD also works to ensure comdoms are accessible everywhere and to provide free regular STI/ HIV and general checkups to MARP. Why now more than ever? As a consequence of three decades of civil war, economic insecurity, and consistent poverty, Cambodia has one of the largest youth populations in Southeast Asia. Two out of three people are under the age of 25 years. Because of this high concentration, the most significant issue facing youths in Cambodia today is access to stable employment and the means to generate a sufficient income. The supply of jobs in crowded Cambodian cities inadequately matches the increasingly high demand. The situation of unsustainable economic development and high unemployment has created conditions in which youth have a greater tendency to fall into high-risk behavior such as s*x work or use of drugs. Research shows that the vast majority of drug users are also unemployed, s*x workers, or street children. In order to sustain a low rate of HIV contraction, issues of unemployment in Cambodia must be confronted. Despite the honest intentions set by the law on the prevention of human trafficking and s*xual exploitation, it has resulted in a greater inability to improve the conditions of those it hoped to help. The s*x trade re-emerged indirectly through the facades of beer gardens, karaoke bars, and massage parlours. The law resulted in entertainment establishments becoming increasingly hidden, going “further underground” because of fear of becoming convicted of illegal activities. The industry's ability to operate successfully behind closed doors has inhibitted access and reach of MARP by social services, increasing the difficulty of abolishing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals within high risk employment. Implemented as part of a vision towards prevention of violence and the spread of infection, the law has discouraged establishment owners to display or sell condoms, for fear of becoming associated with “payed s*x,” therebye withdrawing any promotion of safety that may have previously existed and further continuing high risk of disease infection. Long Term Vision
CSSDs aims to diminish the proportion of youths exposed to the danger of HIV/AIDs by identifing methods that reduce the susceptibility to “risk-taking behaviour.” CSSD aspires to improve levels of employability through expanded and increased health education, dialogue betweeen target groups and stakeholders, and a possible vocational training program. CSSD also aims to open offices outside of Phnom Penh, in order to reach a higher number of MARP. The acceptance of marganilized groups will shape a more optimistic future for Cambodia, by both instilling hope within individual livelihoods as well as preventing the tendency to enter high-risk types of employment.
