In mid May, Give2Asia hosted a brown-bag lunch event in which two of our partnering organizations discussed the current state of philanthropy in Cambodia with Give2Asia’s Board, staff, donors and others from Bay area’s philanthropic community.
Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE), or For a Child’s Smile, is a French organization, operating in Cambodia to provide care for children most in need and victims of poverty and abuse. Their efforts involve vocational schooling, sports, culture and arts programs, and professional training. Today, PSE helps over 6,000 children through various programs ranging from education to health care, protection, food, and lodging.
Launched in 2005 by social entrepreneur Chay Lo, 1001Fontaines improves the lives of rural populations of Cambodia by helping them access safe drinking water. Small water treatment plants are set up and entrusted to local entrepreneurs in charge of selling the water at an affordable price to the villagers, and providing it free of charge to schools. 350,000 people benefit from the service today, including 90,000 children and the project is on its path to reach 1 million by 2020.
We discussed the crucial aspect of of funding for non-profit work, from shifting towards a semi for-profit business model to local fundraising galas. We also touched upon the organizations’ impact studies and the challenges in its measurements.
It was an enlightening dialogue and we look forward to future updates PSE and 1001Fontaines.
To learn more about our partnering organizations, please contact us at info@give2asia.org