Project Enlighten & The Greater Knowledge Fund
Education is the key to a cultural rebirth
"I only take the worst kids.” Laughs Akira. “The ones on glue or yaba (methyl amphetamine), with no families. They get caught stealing. They have trouble with the authorities. The police beat them. Some of them were living in the streets, begging." — An excerpt of an article by Antonio Graceffo
Cambodia: Brief History
1975. Vietnam-American War. Cambodia was a neutral country forced into the woes of war. Weakened by a neighboring war, internal corrupt politics and by international political involvement, Cambodia fell prey to the Khmer Rouge. This Cambodian militant group, through violence and corruption, forced the likeliness of an agrarian society on a peaceful people. In an effort to “cleanse” the people of Cambodia of their “imperialistic” ways, the Khmer Rouge methodically and violently siphoned out the most educated, artistic, financially successful, politically involved, professional people of their nation. They ran forced labor camps, working people of all ages, almost nonstop, with little food or water. Any sign of repudiation, emotion or intellect was punishable by death. For three years, eight months and 21 days the Khmer Rouge committed genocide on over 2 million countrymen, women and children. The intelligent and educated were hunted down, tortured and forced to confess crimes of which they did not commit. It was an environment in which people were forced to survive or be slaughtered. Young children were forced to bear arms and lay landmines, for the continuing effort of war. It was during this time, that Akira lived as a young boy.
“Akira takes the children in, feeds them, and sends them to school. This is no easy task for Akira who, at age thirty, has his own wife and children to care for. And so, he supplements his family's diet by hunting and trapping”. — An excerpt of an article by Antonio Graceff
Our Vision
Nearly thirty years after the Vietnam-American War, the people of Cambodia continue to suffer the hardships of war. A third world country struggling to raise itself above the poverty line, Cambodia is emerging in a cultural rebirth. For sustainability, it will take people like Akira AND simple people like you and I to help the children of Cambodia re-gain their culture, their intellect and to restore their faith in humanity. The Greater Knowledge Fund will contribute to the Khmer Society by providing funding for education and vocational trades to the people of Cambodia. This in turn will provide a positive alternative to street begging, drugs and prostitution.
Mission
In his youth, Akira struggled to survive in war torn Cambodia. He lived through, experienced and became witness to the catastrophic aftermath of landmines and other unexploded ordinance. Through his desire to give to his fragile country and protect innocent people, Akira got involved in landmine removal. It was through these efforts, that Akira and his wife, Hourt, began the Cambodian Land Mine Museum Relief Fund (CLMRRF) and began to take in children off the streets, some of which were landmine survivors. These children are part of Cambodia’s war history. These children are displaced, by families who can’t afford to care for them, they are orphans, they are sons and daughters, most of all, are no longer alone.
"Now, many children want to come here. But I can't help them all. I take the hopeless ones, because I want to turn them into good people." Akira has had great success in converting the street children. "Before, they were in trouble. Now, they love to go to school. Some kids change faster than others." He told me. — An excerpt of an article by Antonio Graceff
Overview
The Greater Knowledge Fund, formerly known as The Cambodia Landmine Kids College Fund, was started in 2006. It was designed to meet specific educational needs for the children living at Akira’s Landmine Museum & Orphanage, through financial sponsorship. Aki Ra, National Project Manager at the Cambodian Land Mine Museum and his wife Bou Senghourt (Hourt), Administrative Director of the Museum, outline the basic needs of the children and their potential to positively contribute to society. With the assistance of Project Enlighten, the youth are selected to receive funding for education beyond secondary school.
Eligibility
- Children and young adults who have been affected by war/landmines
- Those from impoverished backgrounds
- Has shown the following qualities: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness and Citizenship
Project Enlighten works closely with the CLMRRF and local communities to develop The Greater Knowledge Fund in a way that affords sustainability over time. Scholarships/ Vocational training is provided to the students during the academic year or vocational training session. The Greater Knowledge Fund recipients are held to a high standard, attendance is checked, academic performance is monitored and overall progress is observed. Students will have a Knowledge Development Plan to help guide them towards their goals and keep them focused. Any issues that may occur during the school year, will be addressed and work out with the assistance of educators and resources on ground.
Our Expectations
As these very enthusiastic students are willing to show their strong desire to contribute to a positive future, we are empowering them to firmly address the greatest issues confronting their people and their country. In addition to completing their program they will be expected to:
- Have 80% attendance in all classes
- Must submit essay about the decision to attend college/vocational training and future goals.
- Maintain at least a GPA of 3.0 or “B” for each term.
- Recipients of scholarships in turn volunteer in their communities or through Project Enlighten as an educator or mentor, creating an upward spiral of education, compassion and cultural rebirth.
Consider…
Help these students realize their dreams
Students in our program will have the following costs covered:
- Tuition
- Uniforms
- Educational Materials
- Vocational/Trade Supplies
- Stationary
- Bicycle
- Laptop
- Education/Career Guidance
- Tutors
- Additional benefits based on individual needs
Your Role
To pay the very modest cost of a university education or vocational training in Cambodia, we depend on *sponsors. We have set up a general fund that will blanket the needs of many children supported by The Greater Knowledge Fund. Your donations are invaluable to the success of this program.
*In the past we had individual sponsors who had made a commitment to support their child through this process. As in life, things change, we have found that many of our early individual sponsors have had things beyond their control affect their ability to see the commitment through. We will honor those who wish to continue their individual sponsorship with a remarkable child from the museum.
Our Role
The facilitation of the Fund with:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Transparency
When the world says, "Give up"Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
Your contributions give us hope.
On behalf of the students we say "Aww-guhn" /Thank you!