Giving Back

One of the best feelings in the world is giving.

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From a logical perspective you can’t help everyone, so a mission statement was developed to ensure organizations fit the following requirements:

To improve health and education for underserved populations.

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Let’s start with – Cambodia

During the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970’s, education was abolished in Cambodia and 75% of the teachers were killed. It is not surprising that 1 in 4 adults is now illiterate and, in the face of extreme poverty, education is hugely undervalued. Only about half of the children progress to secondary school, the rest dropping out of education to work before the age of 10. Yet, education is, of course, the key to solving many challenges that Cambodian’s face. During our first visit to Cambodia in 2013 we were so taken back by this information that we knew we wanted to somehow help. Over the years of seeing firsthand how these non-government organizations operate, we are very comfortable that our time and dollars are being used to fulfill their missions.

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PEPY (Promoting Education, emPowering Youth) is an education and youth-leadership non-governmental organization. In the fight against economic inequality, high dropout rates, low awareness of the value of higher education, and illegal migration, PEPY aims to make Cambodian youth in rural areas aware of their own potential and career opportunities, and support them academically, financially, mentally, and physically.

Anjali House has been supporting underprivileged children through education, health care and the arts. Their belief is that no child should be forced to beg or work. Children have the right to enjoy their childhood; to learn, to play, to make friends and grow in a safe environment. These are basic rights that no child should be denied. I love that the organization Angkor Travel Photography (ATP) partnered with Anjali by providing the children opportunities to learn more about photography through annual week-long creative workshops hosted by internationally renowned photographers.

HUSK works directly with communities to help improve the lives of Cambodian families. Their goals focus around the basics of providing access to safe water, livelihood opportunities, health, education and environment. On our very first trip to Cambodia we were introduced to this organization by taking a “Day in the Life” tour of a local village. We met the school principal, the community healer, as well as many families as we walked the village. We helped one family make shingles for their thatched roofs and assisted one family in making an incredible lunch. A day we’ll never forget.

Writing Through is an organization that saves minds, one poem, one story at a time. What we experienced during our travels in Cambodia (and other countries) is a teaching method of memorization and parroting information instead of teaching the students to think conceptually and critically. Writing Through breaks down the barriers between the students and teachers by using a unique methodology and teaching process focused on creative writing of poetry and stories in English. Workshops are run by fluent English speaking facilitators and the students must write and speak in English. We witnessed firsthand a one week session in Siem Reap with a class of students and walked away in awe of the ability of not only this organization, but the ability of students to write about their dreams and experiences with entry level English skills.

LAOS

LEOT, located in Luang Prabang, Laos is very similar to PEPY in Cambodia. Over a quarter of the population lives in poverty and nearly three quarters of its people suffer daily hardship. The people of Laos come from many ethnic groups and are gentle and warm hearted. Most are Buddhists with strong family ties and even though they have very little, they share what they have with the temple and their extended families. Not only does LEOT provide scholarships to students, but they also work within the communities to improve the conditions of rural schools.

MEXICO

Feed the Hungry San Miguel is committed to improving the health and well being of the children in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico by alleviating hunger through school meals, family nutrition education, and community development projects. The organization operates kitchens attached to primary schools in 37 rural communities in the San Miguel de Allende municipality. I’ve traveled to San Miguel for years visiting my girlfriend who has made her home there. No better way to give back than to help some of their poorest communities in such a beautiful town in Mexico that you enjoy visiting.

AFRICA/MOROCCO

Oliveseed Their mission is to bring generational transformation through equal access to quality education, sustainable livelihoods, gender equity, creative expression, and stewardship of the natural world. They work at the community level in rural Morocco and the Maasai Mara of Kenya, in collaboration with teachers, conservationists, and other local stakeholders.

Caring about the happiness of others, we find our own.

~Plato