Phare Ponleu Selpak is a Cambodian association that draws its origin from the refugee camps on the Thai border. Phare Ponleu Selpak's circus school started its activities in Battambang, Cambodia in 1998, while the association was carrying out a program to take care of street children. Since the end of 2000, a partnership unites the Collectif clowns d'ailleurs et d'ici (CCAI), a French association, with Phare Ponleu Selpak. The aim of this partnership is to support the circus school's development, on educational, technical and artistic aspects.