In the eight plus years of our partnership, the bond between our two organisations has grown strong as we work closely together to support the boys and girls who attend our programs. Presently up to 120 CCF youth attending our weekly training programs and we offer CCF students other exciting opportunities to develop and grow such as the KMH Champions League and the annual Homeless World Cup. Since 2010, 15 young men from CCF have attended this life-changing international football tournament.
HFCA is terrific organisation and we're very proud of our association. It gives otherwise neglected youth a sense of self-esteem, competition and the value of teamwork. Those able to make the Homeless World Cup team are given a world perspective they could never otherwise imagine. In terms of return on investment, it's one of the best in Cambodia.
- Scott Neeson, Founder Cambodian Children's Fund.
CCF believe that with the right education and support, one child has the potential to lift an entire family out of poverty and that a generation of educated children has the power to change a whole society. Through intensive, long-term investments in children, CCF is helping students build the skills, confidence and integrity they need to become the progressive spokespeople and leaders of change in their communities.
Since 2004, CCF have been working with some of the most impoverished communities in Cambodia, centered around the former garbage dump at Steung Meanchey. Back then, CCF's world revolved around the health and well being of 45 children living on the garbage dump. Today there are around 2,000 students working towards a better future for themselves and their families through CCF’s award winning education program.
The garbage dump was closed in 2009. However the need for CCF’s services continues as Steung Meanchey remains an entry-point into Phnom Penh for destitute families with no option but to try and make a living through scavenging or begging on the city streets.
Scott's commitment to working with disadvantaged youth in Cambodia means he is often asked to speak at public events all over the world to share his experiences and in 2015 he shared a stage with the Dalai Lama.
“Meeting the Dalai Lama was a humbling experience,” said Scott. “He is so humble himself and insists on being treated like everyone else. I was fortunate to be seated next to him, and during lunch we spoke about the need to bring together the disparate communities of wealthy and impoverished nations. His Holiness believes that most of the world’s problems can be solved through dialogue.”
The Dalai Lama asked Scott about the rewards of working with children and families in Cambodia, and how this is much more meaningful than Hollywood glamour. His Holiness said Scott must have had many “friends” in Hollywood because of his wealth and powerful position, but that his work in Cambodia must have brought Scott much more meaningful friends.
On stage, the Dalai Lama was posed a question from the audience about how to help the world. The Dalai Lama pointed at Scott and said “You should ask him. He is actually doing it, not words.”
He told the audience that actions, not words, are the builders of Karma. “We are socially focused, we get tremendous satisfaction from helping others. Karma means action. Real impact comes through action, not just thinking. Prayer and meditation can motivate, but action brings fulfillment.”
CCF operates 64 projects across 6 core program areas as part of our comprehensive approach to community development. While many of these programs are not education-focused, they all play an essential part in their success in providing education to many children who were once thought unreachable.
CCF’s program model is based on a simple idea. They believe that by providing a child with a high-quality education, they will be able to lift themselves and their family out of poverty.
But to get children to go to school, and to keep them going, CCF know they need to do more than provide education. CCF aim to address the issues and dysfunction that keep the children away.
A child will not be able to study if they are hungry or malnourished. A child cannot attend school if their family depends on them earning an income to put food on the table, or to look after siblings. Families cannot prioritise a child’s education if they have nowhere to live, have no access to healthcare or are struggling under crippling debt.
CCF provide free healthcare, childcare, loan programs, food and nutrition programs, housing and emergency support services, and by doing so they incentivise children’s education in impoverished communities. They make sure that a mother never has to choose between sending a child to school and putting food on the table.
The last piece – the one that makes it all fit together – is CCF Leadership Program. CCF want their students to graduate from high school, university or vocational training, with the skills they need to secure gainful employment. But CCF also want more than that – CCF want them to be passionate, engaged young leaders who care for their community and their country. CCF want to transform impoverished kids into tomorrow’s leaders, who will work to transform their own communities and country.
HFCA Founder and CEO Paraic Grogan said, "15 years of international community development have taught me some very important lessons, one of which is that an organisations values are usually reflected in the person in charge. CCF and their staff's commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for all 2000 children and their families they support is a testimony to Scott's leadership. He has an uncanny ability to talk to people from all walks of life and make them feel comfortable and valued. CCF are one of the most respected NGO's in Cambodia and we are delighted to continue our journey with them till 2021."
