These Children in Cambodia Had a Great Year at School, Thanks to You!
We are committed to ensuring every dollar of your support makes a visible impact in the lives of vulnerable children. That’s why we require yearly performance reports from our Honorees, showing us how our funding has changed lives. This report comes from 2012 Honoree Benoît Duchâteau-Arminjon, who used our funding to provide educational and hygienic materials for disadvantaged children in Cambodia.
In 2012, we honored Benoît Duchâteau-Arminjon with our Humanitarian Award for improving the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children in Cambodia.
Your support has helped Benoît provide new school supplies, uniforms, and hygienic materials for more than 1,000 Cambodian children, many of whom are disabled. Because of you, these children and their families didn’t have to worry about being able to afford a new school uniform or supplies, or staying home sick because of an easily preventable illness. Instead, each and every one of these children went to school healthy and prepared to learn.
About Benoît
In 1991, 26-year-old Benoît left behind his home country and career in finance to spend a year helping Cambodian refugee children in Thailand. After meeting Wanna, a young blind boy who was neglected because of his disability, Benoît knew that he couldn’t go back to his life in France. He decided to do everything he could to help children like Wanna.
Benoît and a team of interested Cambodians began to develop Braille and sign language in Khmer so deaf and blind Cambodian children could go to school. His efforts led him to found Krousar Thmey (meaning “New Family”), a national network of schools, protection and training centers in Cambodia for disabled and disadvantaged children.
Today, Krousar Thmey is one of the largest Cambodian foundations that supports over 4,000 children every year. The organization’s educational program for deaf and blind children is being integrated into the national curriculum for special needs classes and schools.
Our Award
At the 2012 Awards Ceremony, we presented Benoît with the first $25,000 installment of his 3 year grant (totaling $75,000). Benoît is using our funds to give students in Krousar Thmey’s special education and child welfare programs a new school uniform, school supplies, and hygienic products.
One Year Later
So far, your support has helped Benoît provide a new uniform for 1,036 children and new school supplies for 685 children. Your support has also helped him set up hygiene stations for students so they can have free access to things like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo.
Real Impact
In 2012, 620 deaf children attended one of Krousar Thmey’s schools for deaf and blind children. 18 students were accompanied to attend a university. 6 disabled students supported by Krousar Thmey graduated from college, 14 found professional training, and 18 found a job.
Another 1,700 children were supported by Krousar Thmey’s child welfare programme last year. 13 of these students started college, 15 found professional training, and 14 found a job. Meet one of the students >>
These successes would not have been possible without your support!
Want ensure children at Krousar Thmey have another successful school year? Join our 12×12 Movement. 100% of your monthly gifts helps Benoît and our other Honorees continue to provide vital services for vulnerable children around the world. Join now >>