For a child’s smile

In 1996, Christian and Marie-France des Pallières settled in Cambodia. While living in Phnom Penh, they discovered the Stung Meanchey landfill, located on the southwestern outskirts of the capital. Their visit left a lasting impression: they described it as “terrible, horrifying,” with piles of waste mixed with the monsoon rains, producing a nauseating stench. However, what struck them the most was the sheer number of children working amidst the refuse, scavenging waste from dawn until dusk.

It all began with a small house

Unable to bear the sight of these children enduring such conditions, they decided to take action. They opened a modest little house on the outskirts of the landfill. There, they prepared meals, provided medical care, and taught French lessons, with the goal of encouraging the children to leave the landfill behind. Initially, they welcomed just 20 children. Today, over 6,000 children benefit from this initiative, which has transformed the site of the former landfill—now a distant memory—into a vast complex dedicated to education and child welfare. This center, developed from that first small house, is now home to the activities of the NGO Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE).

PSE is open to visitors

Although Christian des Pallières passed away in 2016, his wife Marie-France continues their mission. She actively seeks funding in France and remains a key administrator of the association based in Phnom Penh. Visitors are welcome to tour PSE, widely regarded as the largest and most impactful NGO in Cambodia. Through a visit, you can learn more about the inspiring story of its founders and the thousands of children whose lives have been transformed—rescued from destitution, educated, and now fully integrated into Khmer society.