Education
In an effort to work with local communities and pagodas to invest in education, we have chosen to help build schools for communities in need in along the Burma-Thai border, Cambodia, and Laos. As valuable projects are proposed, we will assess the prospect of investment.
The Greater Knowledge Fund (Scholarships)
This Fund encompasses the Landmine Kids College Fund, David A. Linsdell Scholarship, and John F. McKim Scholarship. The Landmine Kids College Fund is available to the children at the Cambodia Land Mine Museum (CLMM) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The two scholarships mentioned above are available to qualifying Burmese and Cambodian students.
Cambodia Education Programs:
Bakong Technical College (BTC)
Read an in-depth description of BTC (PDF | DOC)
Concept Site Plan (PDF)
Read a press report by Texas A&M, our partner in designing the BTC facilities
We strongly support the belief that a well designed and supported "education system" is crucial to the development of a rural Cambodia in a positive, inclusive and cooperative manner that will serve as an effective key in helping to lift the participating communities and, ultimately the whole of the Khmer people, out of dire poverty. We envision a socially and environmentally responsible school, a technical college, devoted to the development and preservation of rural Cambodia in the field of green design, environmental conservation and both cultural and ecological tourism.
Our primary goal and objective in developing this project is to create, implement and sustain a model school with high standards. We envision a socially and environmentally responsible school, a technical college, devoted to the development and preservation of rural communities. We strongly believe that we can make a massive difference within various communities that BTC is designed to support while working to advance investment of resources and attention in high quality education sectors within the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The Volunteer Development Poverty Children’s Association
This is a Khmer borne and run non-government organization, which we provide guidance and support to. The school is in need of quality teaching materials and library books in both Khmer and English. Classroom supplies of any sort are greatly welcomed. If you are interested in a volunteer teaching position please contact Mr. Togh
Pongro Village Free Education Pagoda School
This is a vision of our local advisor, Mr. Sim Sao. Not too far out of the main part of Siem Reap lies his village. It is in desperate need of a school that can supplement the youth's education. We have made several visits out to the site and have met with the key players in the local area. The community is very supportive of the idea in concept, so we are hopeful for the future of this project!
Burmese Education Programs:
Camp Nupo English Speaking Course (ESC) School
http://escnupo.wordpress.com
ESC is a school Project Enlighten Co-founders began to support during a trip to Camp Nupo in 2008. The school was created to help Refugees living in the camp, learn English and develop skills to help them with future resettlement in other countries. After making private contributions to ESC, Project Enlighten began official support after returning to the States in early 2009. This program replaces our previous 2009- 2010 Education program, "Certificate in Information and Communication Technology (CICT)," "Capacity Building Program."
Laos Education Programs:
Naviganthi Village, Central Laos
This wonderful village is in need of progress within their education system. Phouva Vorapanya, a fellow Forest Service Firefighter grew up in this village. It was in his early teens that he immigrated to the United States of America in search of a better education and greater opportunities. In a short period of time, he was able to take command of the English language and move on to graduate from Humboldt University. He seeks to help his home country in whatever way possible, starting with investment in the local education system. We know this will be a project that many would like to support which is currently in our proposal phase.
Ban Navangtai New School Project
Sustainable Community Projects & Economic Assistance
Cow Bank Project, Cambodia
The concept of the Cow Bank Project is to share a breeding cow with a poor family, who in turn breeds that cow and keeps the first calf and third calf. The second born calf is given to another impoverished family. The original cow goes back to the Cow Bank. In short, the family receives two cows in return, while the Cow Bank project is expected to get the original cow back, plus another calf to go toward the next poor and worthy family. The value of one breeding cow is equal to one years' income for a Cambodian family. This simple process helps communities gain economical and social status. The Cow Bank continues to grow and gains the ability to reach more people as more cows are born. Currently we are seeking to keep this project within a reasonable scope of management and are not soliciting for donations on a large scale.
Emergency Action
Project Enlighten is committed to helping others who are faced with adversity. In the spirit of providing humanitarian support to countries worldwide, Project Enlighten demonstrated it's ability to act on human based needs following the wake of Cyclone Nargis' devastation in Burma. Project Enlighten partnered with resources in South East Asia and with the help of our supporters raised over $15,000 Emergency Aid to Burma's Cyclone survivors. Project Enlighten implemented a 'Burma Cyclone Emergency Relief Immediate Action Plan' the weeks following the disaster. "We were all compelled to do whatever we could for the victims of this natural disaster living in a country where its people already struggle and suffer on a daily basis. Read more (PDF)
Future Projects
Do you have a project that you would like Project Enlighten to sponsor? Please contact us and submit your proposal! We are happy to learn of ways we can help communities everywhere!