WELCOME TO CHILDREN FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Who is Children for a Better Future?
Children for a Better Future (CBF) is a Cambodian non-governmental organization that is managed by a diverse International team of board members. CBF was established in 2003 and became registered with the Ministry of Interior in 2009. (Registration No 2240).
The Happy School Scholarship Program is currently CBF’s core initiative. This program fully funds the education expenses of disadvantaged Khmer children via placement in a private primary and secondary school in Phnom Penh. The scholarship program also extends to any graduating students who seek tertiary education at a Cambodian University.
At CBF we recognise the immense value of an education and understand the opportunities it brings to help break the poverty cycle.
Why we help with education in Cambodia
Low education attainment in Cambodia is among the worst in the world. Despite Cambodians placing high importance on education, livelihood takes precedence, resulting in more than 40 per cent of the population failing to complete primary education.
State Cambodian teaching staff are grossly underpaid. Teachers earn well below the living wage in Cambodia, which currently sits at USD$210 per month. This has resulted in an accepted culture of students having to pay teachers an unofficial ‘tuition’ fee to supplement their inadequate wages.
Students who are unable to afford this tuition charge are excluded from classes or marked poorly in exams resulting in high dropout rates amongst families experiencing poverty.
Low academic achievement dramatically limits employment opportunities locking already poor families and communities into a cycle of poverty. CBF aims to break this cycle and help to bring families prosperity.
CBF’s approach ensures that each one of our students, not only have the opportunity to finish school and progress to tertiary education, but also are provided pathways to employment and workplace training in a progressive and safe education setting.
What do we do?
Education
We place disadvantaged children into a fully funded Scholarship Program and track their results with regular updates from the school and their teachers. We also help to educate beyond the classroom with life skills and life experiences.
Local Needs
Our local team along with our International Board continuously assesses the needs of our students, their families, the community and our education providers.
Support
The Happy School Scholarship Program extends beyond the school gate with a dedicated on ground local Project Co-Ordinator that tends to the well-being of all our students in a holistic manner. This is imperative because of the challenges that our students may face due to their economic, family and living situations.
Fundraising
We seek and gather voluntary financial contributions by engaging individuals, businesses and governmental agencies from around the world to support our scholarship students and to keep the program viable.
Our Mission
CBF supports a child’s basic right to education, health and play. Through education and training programs CBF supports Cambodian children to achieve a high level of education that provides opportunities for children to obtain sustainable livelihoods and ultimately help to break the poverty cycle.
Our Vision
CBF understands that all children and teenagers should have access to education or vocational training and live in an adequately safe social environment free from [human] trafficking and labor exploitation.
Donate now
Every donation is much appreciated and will add a significant value in helping us creating a better future for the disadvantaged children of Cambodia.
“Every donation dollar goes directly to funding the Scholarship Program in Phnom Penh.”
Contact
Do you want to work with CBF? Or are you after more information? Please contact us with the button below or email us at info@happyschoolcbf.com