Cambodian Children's Fund was founded by Hollywood film executive Scott Neeson, who travelled to Cambodia on holiday in early 2003 and found his life changed by the desperate circumstances and unlikely courage of Phnom Penh's most impoverished children.
After a 26 year-career in the film business, including tenure as president of 20th Century Fox International and a similar position with Sony Pictures International, Scott exited the industry to establish and oversee CCF. He is now Executive Director and lives year-round in Phnom Penh.
CCF was originally developed as one shelter providing a safe haven for 45 children in critical need. Within four short years, the CCF has grown to incorporate five separate facilities, where nearly 400 children receive nutrition and housing, as well as medical treatment, dental services and vaccinations.
CCF children are given a comprehensive educational program that includes local language reading and writing, as well as multi-level classes in English, social studies and math. They also attend evening classes at the rooftop cultural center, where they learn traditional Khmer music, dance and drama.
CCF is also expanding its community relief programs to provide suffering families better access to education, health care, food assistance and safe drinking water - essential in an environment where an estimated 80% of illnesses are water related. Only through self-sufficiency can the generational cycles of poverty and abuse be broken.
Click here to view CCF's 2008 Annual Report
CCF site photographs courtesy Nigel Gregory, Scott Neeson, Meg Ryan, Trevor Wright, Lisa Jones, Setareh Mason, Armytage Livingston
