Preserving Traditional Cambodian Arts for Future generations : Whilst helping the most vulnerable of children
Become a sponsor of our school today.
Welcome to KCDI-Cambodia.org
Thank you for helping us
Welcome to the Kampot Traditional Music School website. Thank you for visiting our online home. On this website you can find information about our Music School, our Residential and Community Program and about the History of Traditional Khmer Music and Performing Arts and Culture.
The Khmer Cultural Development Institute (KCDI) also known as the Kampot Traditional Music School for Orphaned and Disabled Children, is a Cambodian non-governmental and non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to the care of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Children and the preservation of Traditional Cambodian Music and Arts for future generations of Cambodians. Founded in 1992 and built in 1994 during the civil war in Kampot, Southwestern Cambodia, our School is unique and is considered a Symbol of the Renaissance of Traditional Cambodian Culture, once so devastated by the war and the Khmer Rouge genocide. Our School received the UNESCO World Decade of Cultural Development (Paris 1995) and our founder, the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award (Greater New York 1999). We are a member of International Childsafe and the Cambodian People’s Disabled Organization (CDPO).
Donation Needed
Many of our Children are very vulnerable and have nowhere safe or loving to go and no relative to care for them. Our Music & Arts Program relies on the generosity of donors.
Become a sponsor
Our Program provides care to these Children from infant school to university level, in a loving and safe environment.
long-term impact
Since 1994, Children have graduated and are thriving as professional Musicians, Artists, Professionals and with families of their own. Our Blind Students have formed one of the only high level Ensembles of Blind Musicians in the Country. We have also provided over 3000 Emergency Food Care Packages, 4000 hot meals and provided Emergency Temporary Shelter to battered Mothers, street-Children and Children in immediate danger.
Why we help.
The Khmer Cultural Development Institute, also known as the Kampot Traditional Music School for Orphaned and Disabled Children, is a non-governmental and non-profit humanitarian organisation dedicated to the care for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and the preservation of Cambodian traditional arts.
The school was established in 1994 and serves the needs of the local community in Kampot, a province in the south-west of Cambodia. KCDI was awarded the UNESCO World Decade for Culture in 1995.
Our Engagement
For over 25 years, the Kampot Traditional Music School has been supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children whilst doing invaluable work in the preservation and restoration of traditional Cambodian performing arts.
Sameth studying Tro Sau with the founder Catherine Geach. Photo by Philip Jones Griffiths courtesy of the PJ Griffiths foundation and Magnum.
Concert – Celebrating 30 years 1994-2024
You are all cordially invited to join us for our 30th Anniversary Concert on Saturday 3rd August, 2024 at 18.00, as we celebrate the founding of our School 1994-2024.
Annual Audited Statement 2023-2024
Here is our Annual Audited Statement 2023-2024.
29th Birthday Celebration
A look back on our 29th birthday celebration : reflecting on our journey with gratitude.
Special GlobalGiving Bonus day
We will be having a special GlobalGiving Bonus Day on the 10th July, starting at 09.00 EDT (8pm Cambodian Time, 1pm UK and 2pm European Time). GlobalGiving will match all unique Donations, from $100 upwards. Matching funds will last until they run out on the same day!
Fundraising Appeal on GoFundMe for Medical Care for our Senior Staff at KCDI
Today I make an appeal for three of our wonderful Teachers, who survived the Khmer Rouge genocide and have been working with me for nearly 30 years.
Recordings of our Blind Student’s Ensemble
Professional Recordings of our Blind Student’s Ensemble Performing Traditional Mohori Music now available.
Help us restore and preserve traditional Cambodian arts for future generations,
Whilst taking care of the most vulnerable and isolated children in Kampot Province, assisting them with a sustainable future.
Help For our Children
Long-Term impact
Help For
Education
Help For
Food
Please help our children
Where Tradition meets compassion
The mission of KCDI is to protect, preserve and develop Cambodian traditional arts and culture for future generations through education, training and awareness raising and to care for and heal vulnerable children.
They support KCDI.
SAFE + EASY DONATIONS
Donations
Cambodian culture and traditional arts is so special that today it is considered by UNESCO “World Intangible Cultural Heritage”. Yet the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot between 1975 – 79 killed so many artists they nearly managed to destroy everything. Our school is testimony to the courage and integrity of those artists who survived and their determination to re-build their country and their beautiful artistic heritage.
Account Name : KCDI
Account Number : 0700-20-549083-1-5
Swift : ACLBKHPP
ACLEDA Bank, 61 Preah Monivong Bvd, Phnom Penh
Donation :
+855 (0)17 72 69 69
Please Help our children.
Since 1994, 450 students have already graduated with positive results.
$182k+
RAISED on GlobalGiving
1994
YEAR FOUNDED
450+
STUDENTS GRADUATED
4
CAUSES