Israeli Collaboration Transforms Cambodian Lives: From Poverty to Education
A collaborative effort between Israel and Cambodia is bringing about positive change in the lives of young Cambodians. The project, spearheaded by the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), has gained international attention and inspired the Israeli government to get involved.
Started by the Palti family from Melbourne, CRST has been working tirelessly to create social enterprise projects in Siem Reap, a town in north-west Cambodia. The family witnessed the dire situation faced by local Cambodian youth, who often had to drop out of school to support their families with meager wages. This moved the Paltis and other family members to offer a helping hand.
Initially faced with skepticism as Western cash cows, the Palti family registered their own non-governmental organization with the Cambodian government and launched various initiatives. Their projects included setting up a yogurt shop as a social enterprise to provide students with opportunities to learn about commerce and empowering young women at risk of human trafficking and domestic violence through the Days for Girls program.
Today, CRST sponsors 104 students from rural families, giving them an opportunity to study at the best local high schools and universities. All donations received are dedicated to educational initiatives, mentorship programs, and community projects.
The impact of CRST’s work was brought to international attention through an article published by The AJN. The article caught the eye of Orna Sagiv, Israel’s ambassador for Thailand and Cambodia, who was captivated by CRST’s efforts. Sagiv proposed funding for two key projects to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which were approved. Israel is now actively involved in making a difference in Cambodia.
One of the projects, known as Bicycles for Education, aims to provide transportation for students who have to walk long distances to school. Israel’s funding will cover the purchase of bicycles, enabling these students to attend school more easily. The other project, Trees for Life, focuses on land reclamation by planting semi-mature shade trees on barren terrain. Israel’s contribution will cover the cost of the trees and a watering program to ensure their survival.
Aviv, co-founder of CRST, recently met with CRST assistant manager Tongly Ton, CRST executive director Doeb Chhay, and the original students at Israel’s Bangkok-based embassy. They discussed the details of Israel’s involvement and planned a visit to Siem Reap, where bicycles will be distributed and trees will be planted.
Ambassador Sagiv expressed her excitement about the collaboration and the power of shared values. She sees this as just the beginning of a prosperous partnership between CRST and the Israeli embassy in Thailand and Cambodia.
Jessica Palti, co-founder of CRST, reflected on the impact of the article, highlighting how it has led to the involvement of the Israeli embassy in supporting their work. She emphasizes the positive impact that international collaboration can have in Cambodia.
The collaboration between Israel and CRST is bringing hope and opportunities to young Cambodians, transforming their lives from poverty to education. With ongoing support and continued efforts, this partnership has the potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
