"When we opened our first shelter for street kids, a passer-by asked what the name of our organisation was. Taken by surprise, we had no answer: no name, not even an organisation in any formal sense. We were just a few volunteers seeking to provide a safe haven and a nourishing meal to these vulnerable children for two short hours each day. As public interest grew, the question of our name kept coming up.

I remembered that when I first came to Cambodia I was fascinated by the many geckos scampering around, announcing themselves with their loud warble. The children begging in the streets reminded me of little geckos as they darted about in their bold quest for the tourist dollar. The idea for our name started there, and was strengthened when further research into the nature of geckos revealed more similarities.

*         Geckos are the only lizard with a voice and these kids certainly had a loud one too!

*         Most geckos are nocturnal and hunt their prey at night, and so did the street kids. They would stay out sometimes till dawn, waiting for their intoxicated 'prey' to stagger home.

*         When a gecko is caught by its tail, it releases its tail allowing it to escape capture. The children displayed similar resourcefulness, acquiring by instinct and necessity all the tricks for survival in their tough world. 

*         Lastly, geckos have no parental care. The similarity here spoke loudly for itself.

So that was decided: 'gecko' it was. Now to add some colour. A little more research unearthed that according to Asian colour symbolism, green represents Eternity, Family, Harmony, Health, Peace and Posterity. And to me, green has always been associated with Life, Growth, Renewal, Safety, Healing and Stability. All these things are our hope - and our goal - for the children.

It all fell into place ... 'Green Gecko' we became!".