One of my current NGO Partners is Anjali House in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Locally based and Cambodian led, they are truly making a difference in their local community. Here’s what Sophany Try (Phany), the Executive Director there, has to say about their work.
In the quiet corners of our community, behind walls of corrugated metal and repurposed wood, there is a big dream. At Anjali House, we work with nearly 300 families. Most of the parents in these families never had the chance to go to school. Whenever we meet them, they tell us something that stays in our hearts.
We have eyes, but we feel like we are blind.
Because we have no education, our life is dark.
We cannot see the way out of poverty.
Here’s a couple of local stories Phany shared with me.
The Breadwinner Mother: She works as a cleaner, earning between $150 to $170 a month depending on how much extra work she can do. Even when she earns less, her working hours are always long.
After my cleaning job I buy recyclable items from other villagers.
Whenever I can I also pick up plastic and cans from the road and
from rubbish bins so I can sell them for extra income.
My husband is chronically ill and unable to work.
That means I am the sole provider for the family.
The Farmer Mother: She tends a small plot of rice and vegetables so she can keep food on the table for her family.
My husband works in a distant province and is rarely home.
We survive on his small, irregular transfers of money.
When his pay is late, or a family member falls ill,
our problems become more serious.
Here’s Phany again . . .
Both mothers face big challenges – just like so many of the other families we serve. They tell us that without Anjali House, their children would never have the chance to learn English and digital skills. They are so happy to see their children grow through our creative workshops.
These mothers do not want their children
to walk in darkness.
They believe their children
are the light of the family.
As the leader of Anjali House, I see this light every day. When a child from a poor family learns to read, to speak English, or use a computer, something dramatic happens. They are no longer walking in the dark. They are becoming the leaders of tomorrow – a goal that is at the heart of our vision and mission.
Anjali now works with nearly 500 children from low-income, marginalized families. With experiential learning, skills training, and scholarships, they brilliantly light the way for these kids . . . along the pathway towards higher education.
We invite you to help us keep this light burning.
Your support gives these kids more than just hope.
It gives them a vision for their future.
I hope you’re getting the message here.
YOU are the ones that make Anjali’s work possible.
Thank You
If you’re interested knowing about the work that our other Cambodian NGO partners are doing in service to those most in need, you can click here.
Life is good — at least for some of us it is.
Others need a bit of help.
Together we can provide exactly that.
At the SE Asia Foundation we do not simply “help” people
We Help People Help Themselves
That is our focus
That is our commitment
That is where our actions show up
Please help us keep doing that with a tax-deductible
donation. Just click the button below
