20% of Cambodians live below the poverty line
1 in every 4 Cambodians over the age of 15 are illiterate
1 in every 4 Cambodians over the age of 15 are illiterate
These are statistics we aim to change at Human and Hope Association. Over the past five years we have been providing training, education and support to marginalised villagers so they can have the skills and knowledge to move out of the poverty bracket.
In order to fund our education programs for 2017, we are asking you to purchase an elephant for education. These elephants are made by graduated sewing students from
Human and Hope Association, who make them for a fair wage at their homes.
By purchasing an elephant (or how about a family?), you are providing an income to these women
so they can support their families with shelter, education and healthcare.
You are also contributing towards the education of over 150 Cambodian children.
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Cambodian charity Human and Hope Association Inc is excited announce the launch of Elephants for Education, a crowdfunding campaign that gives supporters the chance to support education in Cambodia. Supporters will also be rewarded with an adorable stuffed elephant (or even a whole family!)
The organisation, which recently celebrated becoming entirely locally run, aims to empower Cambodians to create sustainable futures for themselves through education, vocational training and community support.
Some of the programs offered by the organisation include English classes, art classes and preschool. Another program, which has been extremely successful, is the sewing project where disadvantaged women complete a 10 month course to learn sewing and business skills.
It is this program where seamstress
Saney learnt the skills that would enable her to start her own business.
She also receives an income by making some of the adorable products
available for supporters of the Elephants for Education scheme.
Sally Hetherington, who worked at Human
and Hope Association for 4 years, says the campaign is crucial to
funding the organisations ongoing running costs.
“HHA
is achieving such great things, and this wouldn’t be possible without
our generous supporters. Each and every donation makes such a huge
impact and allows the committed local team to continue their great
work.”
Sally is also excited that the campaign coincides with the release of Human and Hope’s adorable range of stuffed elephants.
“Not
only is each elephant super cute, but each one has their own name. For
example, Bopha can provide a whole month’s English education to a
child!” She says.
The campaign launches today, and their aim is to raise $15,000 by August 25th. Check out the campaign at https://www.chuffed.org/project/elephantsforeducation and keep your eyes peeled for exclusive giveaways!
Why does education in Cambodia matter?
Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated two million people (a quarter of the population at the time) were killed in Cambodia through starvation, torture, execution, disease and overwork under the ruling of the Khmer Rouge. Intellectuals were targeted, and as a result, Cambodia lost most of their educated population.
It has taken a long time to rebuild Cambodia, and although the education system has developed in leaps and bounds, there is still a strong lack of education and skills in our community that has lead to a life of poverty for our villagers.
With poverty comes other social issues, such as lack of hygiene which results in increased illnesses, domestic violence, and child labour. We work directly with children and their families so that with our support they can understand the value of education and help to address these social issues.
We want them to break the cycle of poverty so that the next generation don’t have to deal with the hardships that this generation does.
By educating our students we are empowering them to create sustainable futures for themselves.
Human and Hope Association is a registered NGO in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We are a grassroots
community centre run by a local Cambodian team. We focus on empowering methods of development instead of direct aid, as for our community to move out of poverty they need to take responsibility for their futures.
Our education programs include English, Khmer language, preschool, living values, art class, movie club, library and staff development. Our vocational training opportunities include a sewing program and home sewing business. Our community projects include microfinance, a farming program, community workshops, university scholarships and support of a rural English school.
We are committed to training local staff, which is why our organization became entirely Khmer operated this year. Our local team is passionate about helping their local community; they are the subject matter experts who can deal with issues in a culturally appropriate context. Our organisation is governed by a Cambodian board who are responsible for ensuring our team achieves its goals. We also have an external Australian board who are responsible for fundraising and raising awareness about HHA and other social issues in Cambodia.
Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated two million people (a quarter of the population at the time) were killed in Cambodia through starvation, torture, execution, disease and overwork under the ruling of the Khmer Rouge. Intellectuals were targeted, and as a result, Cambodia lost most of their educated population.
It has taken a long time to rebuild Cambodia, and although the education system has developed in leaps and bounds, there is still a strong lack of education and skills in our community that has lead to a life of poverty for our villagers.
With poverty comes other social issues, such as lack of hygiene which results in increased illnesses, domestic violence, and child labour. We work directly with children and their families so that with our support they can understand the value of education and help to address these social issues.
We want them to break the cycle of poverty so that the next generation don’t have to deal with the hardships that this generation does.
By educating our students we are empowering them to create sustainable futures for themselves.
Human and Hope Association is a registered NGO in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We are a grassroots
community centre run by a local Cambodian team. We focus on empowering methods of development instead of direct aid, as for our community to move out of poverty they need to take responsibility for their futures.
Our education programs include English, Khmer language, preschool, living values, art class, movie club, library and staff development. Our vocational training opportunities include a sewing program and home sewing business. Our community projects include microfinance, a farming program, community workshops, university scholarships and support of a rural English school.
We are committed to training local staff, which is why our organization became entirely Khmer operated this year. Our local team is passionate about helping their local community; they are the subject matter experts who can deal with issues in a culturally appropriate context. Our organisation is governed by a Cambodian board who are responsible for ensuring our team achieves its goals. We also have an external Australian board who are responsible for fundraising and raising awareness about HHA and other social issues in Cambodia.
