The war from 1975-79 decimated the Cambodian arts, with few masters of the traditional arts forms surviving the terrible period of the Khmer Rouge genocide. Since 1994, KCDI has been working to revive and now protect and promote the traditional arts. This project now supports up to 150 impoverished children, aged 8 - 17, from surrounding villages to receive free quality tuition in the arts also as vocational training. Children from very disadvantaged backgrounds receive additional support.

This project will help up to 25 orphans some with HIV and epilepsy, as well as blind children. By living at our school, this allows them to receive full time care, scholastic education with Braille, traditional Cambodian performing arts training, as therapy and vocational training. The children (except for the blind) have no parents, no extended families and have no alternative care except for our school; We work with the Ministries of Culture, Education & Social Affairs and local authorities.