(photo) Leadership Academy students with brothers & sisters at Kep beach during recent visit to teach our village kids safe pandemic practices
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Click here to read of our six alumni’s education journey to become a university freshman in their own words (2021).
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Click here to read our six Leadership Academy high school seniors hopes for a university education in their own words (2021).
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Click here to read the profiles each university student wrote about themselves in 2019.
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Click here to read about ‘Safe Covid-19 Practices’ classes our alumni taught to village children (October 2019)
Click here to read about the “School Ready Project”, teaching village children to prepare for school (Oct. 2019)
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Read our history with the Leadership Academy program here.
Our Leadership Academy university students
Each of our Leadership Academy university students is photographed standing before their homes. From left to right:
(left) Sao Sovanna: He asked us if he could be included after we had filled the five slots for scholarships that we had budgeted for. His initiative really impressed us--we couldn't turn him down. He’s majoring in Fintech at the ACLEDA Institute of Business.
(2nd left) Phon Dalen: We have provided a scholarship for Dalen since she dropped out in 7th grade because of her family's poverty. They own no land so her father works repairing phones and odd jobs to feed his family. Dalen's education could lift her family out of subsistence poverty. She placed 1st in her high school class of over 50 students. She chose to major in Medical Science, a six year program, so that she can become a doctor.
(center) Phorn Leakina: We have provided a scholarship for Leakina since she dropped out of 7th grade because her family's rice field cannot sustain them. Leakina wants to become a doctor to help others and give money to her family. her university awarded her a 50% scholarship to major in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
(3rd from right) Lonh Sony: Sony wants desperately to help her family escape village poverty. This is why she chose a career path that would lead to a university education. She placed 3rd in her high school class of over 50 students. She has been accepted at the Institute of technology of Cambodia where she will major in Food Science.
(2nd from right) Chey Sreylin: We have provided a scholarship for Sreylin since she dropped out in 7th grade because of her family's poverty. Her father is a policeman. Her family does not own land, so her father cannot earn enough to feed his family. Sreylin realizes that she can use her education to lift her family out of their dire situation. She placed 5th in her high school class of over 50 students. Her university awarded her a full scholarship. She is majoring in Software Engineering, a choice based on her proficiency in science-oriented subjects like Biology and Chemistry.
(right): Doung Netra: We have sponsored Netra with a scholarship since she dropped out of 7th grade because of her family's poverty. Her family owns a small rice field that cannot support them so her father does occasional chores for more prosperous villagers to sustain his family. Netra chose Tourism as her major, a perfect choice given her wonderful outgoing nature.
Leadership Academy University Scholarship: $1,600
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Our Leadership Academy high school seniors
Our Leadership Academy High School Seniors
Chhorn Chhinlin: Chhinlin hopes to major in Medical Science. She wants to be a doctor. She has received a scholarship since she dropped out of 7th grade because of her family’s poverty.
Kong Vitha: Vitha hopes to attend ACLEDA Institute of Business and major in Accounting.
Korn Sreynai: Sreynai has chosen to attend the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia to become a chef. We have provided her scholarship since 7th grade when she was forced to drop out because of her family’s poverty.
Prak Sreylim: Sreylim wants to attend the Institute of Technology of Cambodia and major in Food Science. She is 1st in her high school class of over 50 students.
Yoy Kly: Kly hopes to attend ACLEDA Institute of Business and major in Accounting. She is 4th in her high school class of over 50 students. She has received a scholarship since dropping out of 7th grade because of her family’s poverty.
Sieng Mean: Mean wants to attend Norton University and major in Architecture. He hopes to support the construction sector both in his village and throughout Cambodia.
Leadership Academy high school scholarship: $2,100 (2021)
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(Left, upper) Chhorn Chhinlin. (Middle upper) Kong Vitha. (Right, upper) Korn Sreynai. (Left, lower) Prak Sreylim. (Lower middle) Yoy Kly. (Lower right) Sieng Mean.
Our History with the Leadership Academy program
Our History with the
Leadership Academy program
It is difficult for poor village students to compete with students of privilege in Phnom Penh for acceptance in Cambodia's best universities. We view each of our village's students' enrollments in prestigious universities as a miracle.
That's why we chose to partner with the incredible non-profit Sustainable Schools International to send selected graduates of our middle school to their Leadership Academy. SSI's mission mirrors ours: to give village students the best educational opportunities possible while developing their character, based on a set of core values.
Years ago, our co-founder, Jim DeLong, stayed at SSI's nascent middle school in the remote village near Kampong Speu to learn how the inspirational Kari Grossman established so many successful programs.
We've marveled at how SSI's success has grown since then and decided to send promising graduates to attend their Leadership Academy, a college prep boarding school that has achieved remarkable success placing graduates in university and vocational-based career paths that fulfill their passions. And, students receive leadership training, career counseling, and community service mentorship and entrepreneurship, as well as internships with local Phnom Penh business and governmental agencies.
Many past Leadership Academy graduates are now attending the best universities in the nation. Now, six of our alumni attending Leadership Academy have achieved their goal of attending those same universities. Six other alumni of ours are attending Leadership Academy for their third year as high school seniors.
Their families have all committed to support their education by funding their tuition. Our university scholarships fund the other education costs: room & board at Leadership Academy, advanced English tutoring, and guidance/career counseling.
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Note: 100% of all donations will be used to fund projects and programs for village students, alumni, teachers, and families. No funds will ever be used to fund administrative expenses or board member travel and expenses.
You can double your donation, if you work for a company with a Matching Gift program, by applying for a matching donation from your company. We are registered with most of the organizations that manage matching gift programs for companies (e.g., benevity, Your Cause, Network for Good).