The Cambodian Village Fund started with a bicycle. Nancy wanted to buy a $40 bicycle for her hair stylist’s village back in Cambodia. The villagers would share the bike to ride to the market, school, temple, and clinic. More bikes and visits led to a deep bonding with the poor, hardworking village residents, many with little or no education.
Our grass roots 501(c)(3), established in 2006, improves the lives of northwestern Cambodia youth by building schools, giving scholarships -- especially to girls -- and offering free English classes. We also help improve roads, provide safe drinking water and conduct eye clinics. And we launched a youth soccer program for both boys and girls – including building a brand-new soccer stadium.
Many other charities are at work investing in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. The Cambodian Village Fund isn’t the biggest or the oldest of them, but we are definitely among the most focused on maximizing every dollar donated to personally make a difference, one school at a time, even one student at a time. We communicate with the students every week. We know their struggles and successes.
And we are breaking the cycle of poverty: sixteen of our scholarship students have graduated from college, 24 currently attend college -- huge firsts for their families and community.
Five-hundred students attend our optional after-school English language classes. Thousands of primary and secondary school students go to class in our new, modern schools. For the first time, hundreds of boys and girls have the opportunity to compete in soccer matches in the new Tim Sykes Soccer Stadium. Hundreds have had their eyes tested; and, if needed, now have glasses. And dozens of older villagers have had cataract surgery.
Strong Cambodian connections and a commitment to responsible financial management, accountability and transparency have made the Cambodian Village Fund successful. 99% of our donations go directly to projects in Cambodia. Our experienced, well-qualified directors and volunteers handle administrative tasks, project management, website development, newsletters, and graphics, without any remuneration, other than the joy of improving lives.
One village official expressed his appreciation to us this way:
On behalf of the community of Kaun Khlong Village, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your generous work. Cambodia has been through a long period of darkness in our recent past. Now we are emerging into the light.”
Seven of our scholarship students have just accomplished what, a few years ago, seemed like an unreachable dream to them. They graduated from college, making their families and themselves very proud. We are celebrating with them. We congratulate them for their perseverance and the commitment they made when they became recipients of a Cambodian Village Fund Scholarship. “I would like to thank the Cambodian Village Fund for supporting my […]
In February, seven new students joined the Cambodian Village Fund Scholarship Program. They all completed high school with excellent grades and dreams of pursuing a higher education. Their families are poor and cannot afford the cost of university. Because of their scholarships, these bright, ambitious young women moved to the city of Battambang, where most […]
“Let’s see the fruits of the seeds we plant!” Our supporters and their compassionate giving are building the foundations for a better world. We visit Cambodia as often as we can to see the transformations with our own eyes. On this year’s trip, several American friends came along. Silke and Darren, who oversaw the building […]
We have great news. The dorm is complete and far exceeds our wildest expectations. It is a modern, 3 story building in a centrally located district of Battambang and can house 24 college students. It has a rooftop terrace with views overlooking the city. It is a safe place to live, learn, connect and inspire. […]
We are excited to add several new students to our college scholarship program this year. Generous contributions and ongoing support from our donors allow Cambodian girls to pursue their dream of education and a path to a better life. “If I graduate from college, I will become a resource for my society, country and my […]
Every child deserves the joy of books. The children in the rural villages of Cambodia have very limited access to books. Families with incomes of $3-$4 per day cannot afford to buy books. With the opening of Mona’s Library, packed with brand new, colorful books, the children can choose a book and take it home […]
Mona was only nine years old when a terrible accident ended her life. Friends and family wanted her adventurous, curious, and joyful spirit to continue to live on. Mona’s mother, Silke, a longtime supporter of the Cambodian Village Fund, cherished Mona’s curiosity and her love for learning and for books. When people asked her: “How […]
While there have been only 122 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Cambodia (as of May 10), that doesn’t mean that the people are not suffering. The government has closed all schools, museums, concerts and many business. Rural families are suffering from loss of income and lack of food. Families who normally get by on a […]
Four of our scholarship students graduated from high school this year and started college last week. They all passed the National High School Exam in August.
