Bridging Cultures and Creating Smiles: Inside the Vibrant Life at Kep Children in Cambodia
- Editorial team
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
In the tranquil countryside of Cambodia, a unique story unfolds through the experiences of two young women who have embraced new roles far from their French hometowns. Morgane Viricel-Boge and her colleague combine their professional expertise with heartfelt dedication to community and childhood education. Their journey at Kep Children is a testament to adaptability, cultural exchange, and the power of youthful energy in making a meaningful difference.
Morgane Viricel-Boges, 24, originally hails from the quaint region of Bourgoin-Jallieu, nestled between Lyon and Grenoble in France. Before embarking on her inaugural journey to Asia, Cambodia marked her first immersive experience into a truly different world.
Her professional background is diverse, ranging from early jobs in bakeries and children’s clothing stores to a marketing role at a major retailer, Auchan. A holder of a master’s degree in international commerce and management, she sought a purposeful challenge upon graduation — a civic service post, which she began in January 2025 with Kep Children.
“I’m primarily responsible for communication on social media,” Morgane explains.
“Between drafting newsletters, creating posts, and managing stories, I also engage in activities alongside the on-ground animators, working with both toddlers and primary school children.”
Her role is multifaceted. Not only does she communicate the organization’s mission to the broader world, but she also supports the animators by introducing fresh educational and engagement techniques.
“Four half-days a week, I am directly involved in animation sessions, helping with hygiene routines, meal times, and crafting playful activities like handmade arts, sports circuits, and even yoga classes designed to relax the kids,” she shares.
Her creative input is vital, breathing new life into the usual routines of local animators who, though talented, sometimes find themselves limited by repetition. Morgane aims to bring learning alive through playful methods, guiding her Cambodian colleagues in innovative approaches to manual and physical activities.
Her colleague, also heavily involved in both animation and communication, balances her time between fostering interactions among children and managing organizational aspects behind the scenes.
“We adapt quickly here in Cambodia,” Morgane notes. “One moment, I’m composing a newsletter, and the next, we follow the director to a critical project site. The work is as varied as it is rewarding.”
Life outside work paints a serene picture—quiet days in a rural environment, warm friendships blending Khmer and French cultures, and weekends exploring Phnom Penh or traveling amidst Cambodia’s natural beauty. “The calm of KEP, being surrounded by nature and countryside, is refreshing. It feels like finding a second home,” she remarks with a smile.
Although language barriers and climate present challenges, Morgane has made a concerted effort to learn Khmer, underscoring the importance of genuine communication with colleagues and children alike. The diversity of unexpected moments, cultural surprises, and the joyful chaos of their work define their daily rhythm at Kep Children.
About KEPCHILDREN: a commitment to education and the future of children in Kep
Since it was set up in 2012, KEPCHILDREN's mission has been to facilitate access to education for the most disadvantaged children in the village of Kep, in southern Cambodia. This Franco-Cambodian association supports nearly 70 children every day, working in close partnership with the local state school, as well as the Educating Smiling Children nursery school and the Chomka Dong high school, around ten kilometres from the village.
KEPCHILDREN goes beyond simply providing schooling, adopting a global approach aimed at improving the living conditions of the children and their families. In addition to providing school equipment, uniforms and shoes, which are distributed twice a year, the association also offers support classes in Khmer, maths and English. The youngest children, aged 3 to 6, benefit from a morning kindergarten. In terms of health, KEPCHILDREN organises an annual dental check-up, reimburses medical expenses and provides a shower area on its premises.
Means of transport are also an important issue; the association provides bicycles for older children and tuk-tuk transport for kindergarteners, with assistance in financing motorbikes available for teenagers pursuing higher education. Personalised socio-educational assistance helps families to improve their overall well-being, including economic, social and health support. Food distribution includes 10 kg of rice per month per child, with one meal a day for nursery school children and two meals a week for older children.
The children's cultural development is encouraged by recreational outings, Khmer boxing lessons, mini-camps and a weekly day-care centre. KEPCHILDREN's philosophy is based on ‘working together’, rejecting any form of assistance, and insisting on individualised support tailored to each family's situation. Each child and his or her family sign a moral contract guaranteeing school attendance, the basis of a committed partnership.
Comments