RATANAK: general information
The Ratanak Foundation has been working in Cambodia since 1990. In those days the civil war raged, the Khmer Rouge were never far away and the fear was palpable. The isolation was almost complete. There were no significant diplomatic relations with the outside world and few westerners would visit let alone decide to work in such an environment. Yet it was to this place and to these people Brian McConaghy, the founder of the Ratanak Foundation, was called.
The central emphasis of the Ratanak Foundation projects have been in the health care field. Medical supplies have been shipped in, hospitals and clinics built, immunization programs developed and ambulances supplied. On the waterways we have built a floating clinic, large mobile medical services boat and assisted with Cambodia’s first high speed river ambulance. Such projects are always funded in conjunction with a mission organization which provides staffing, on the ground monitoring and training. Our projects are designed to be self sustainable after a given number of years.
Emergencies can interrupt planned programs and so, in times of crisis we have funded emergency food distributions and a variety of agricultural and community based food for work programs.
The plight of orphans and abused children have lead to the provision of schools, building of orphanages and rehabilitation of children rescued from brothels. Literacy, sanitation, social services programs both in local communities and in prisons have been developed.
With years of experience, the Ratanak Foundation continues to support rural and urban projects in many provinces and has been privileged to assist in the changing of thousands of lives.
our commitment to you
Third World relief and development, needs to be accountable and effective. The Ratanak Foundation selects only a few projects each year. These are funded and carefully monitored for their duration with frequent visits by Brian or other Ratanak Foundation representatives.
We believe it is very important that donors understand how their money is put to use. The Ratanak Foundation will ensure that you receive a regular news letter which will keep you fully informed. We want you to have a sense of participation with the ‘Ratanak’ team.
Brian, the Board of Directors and Representatives all volunteer their time and knowledge to ensure that administrative costs continue to be kept to an absolute minimum. We are extremely proud of our track record in this regard and would be happy to provide more details for those interested.
The Ratanak Foundation's work has been recognized in many parts of the world. In the year 2000, Coming Home Films produced "Ratanak's Legacy", a documentary about Brian and his work in Cambodia.
