Helmet for Families expands to Kampong Cham

November 11, 2017, Kampong Cham, Cambodia – Helmets for Families, sponsored by Manulife Cambodia, celebrated its sixth anniversary by expanding its road safety education to Veal Vong Primary School in Kampong Cham Province. This year, over 1,000 high-quality helmets were donated to the community, as well as an education program on road safety awareness to students.

“In 2016 alone, 86 people were killed in road crashes in our province, accounting for 5% of the nationwide total,” H.E. Kuoch Chamroeun, Governor of Kampong Cham Province, said. “It is impossible to quantify the pain and suffering that these losses have caused, but working with AIP Foundation and Manulife Cambodia on this program is an important step towards making the roads safe for everyone in our community.”

“There are nearly 2,000 road crash-related deaths in Cambodia annually,” said H.E Mrs. Min Meanvy, Secretary of State of Public Works and Transport and Secretary General of the National Road Safety Committee. “With motorized two- and three-wheelers, such as motorcycles, accounting for 83% of vehicles on Cambodia’s roads, programs like Helmets for Families is essential to building road safety awareness and keeping our children safe. As the programme continues, the number of donated helmets and awareness will increase and will play an important role in reducing the deaths caused by road crashes in Cambodia.”

The Helmets for Families program has provided nearly 5,000 helmets and 18 road safety training seminars to more than 600 people, since the partnership with Manulife Cambodia launched in 2012.

“We are committed to helping provide a better future for families within the communities that we serve. This program is an important part of our efforts to ensure the safety of Cambodian children and families, by educating them on road safety and the importance of using quality helmets when they are on a motorcycle or bicycle,” said Mr. Robert Elliott, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia.

“Veal Vong Primary School was selected because of its location in a high-risk and traffic dense area in a province where 80% of children travel as motorcycle passengers and bicycle riders,” said Mr. Pagna Kim, Cambodia Country Director of AIP Foundation. “In 2016, five students and four teachers from Veal Vong Primary School were injured in road crashes. Helmets for Families will provide quality helmets and road safety training for those in the community that are most vulnerable.”

More than 1,000 students, parents, teachers, government officials, media, and community members attended the event. Notable representatives included H.E. Kouch Chamroeurn, Governor of Kampong Cham Province; H.E. Min Meanvy, Secretary of State of Public Works and Transport; Mr. Robert Elliott, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia; and Mr. Pagna Kim, Cambodia Country Director of AIP Foundation.