For more than 17 years, expats living in Singapore have changed the lives of children across Cambodia by providing them with hope and the gift of an education.
Caring for Cambodia (CFC) educates, feeds, and provides clean water to more than 6,800 students each year at schools in Siem Reap. Singapore volunteers collect toothbrushes, hygiene kits, school uniforms, and backpacks for our students. They donate money, attend fundraisers, and many even travel to the schools themselves.
It was an American expat living in Singapore who created CFC in 2003. Jamie Amelio and a small group of her Singapore friends and neighbors saw a country just a short plane ride away where many children lacked access to even a basic education.
Together, this group nurtured Jamie’s idea into the dynamic organization it is today, an organization that is educating a generation of Cambodian children today to change not only their futures but the future of an entire nation.
To that end, CFC believes lasting change starts with training Cambodian teachers. Each year, teams of teachers from Singapore American School and Tanglin Trust School travel to Cambodia to train our staff.
Our students receive a free education, emphasizing a well-rounded curriculum that includes English as a Second Language, Gender Equity, technology training, and career preparation. A particular emphasis is placed on clean water, health, and nutrition as these programs ensure our students have the strength to learn and thrive.
We serve two meals a day at our campuses, and often the nutrition the children receive makes it economically feasible for families to send their kids to school rather than work. More than 45 percent of families in Siem Reap Province live in poverty.
All of this is accomplished at the cost of just USD$180 per student and is entirely underwritten by our generous donors and the work of our volunteers in Singapore and around the world.
“Singapore has always been where our hearts turned the brightest orange,” said Jamie Amelio, CFC’s Founder and CEO. “And I can attest those friendships made by volunteering together last a lifetime.”
Many of the volunteers who have helped CFC grow into the organization it is today remain involved despite having moved back to their home countries years ago.
Today, it is an expat from the United Kingdom, who coordinates CFC’s volunteers and fundraising activities in Singapore.
“When I arrived in Singapore, I didn’t know very many people at all but getting involved with CFC has not only led to several deep friendships, it has helped to give me a purpose far from home and reignite the career I put on hold before moving here,” said Meera Tank, CFC’s Singapore Operations Director. “My children have also benefited. They are young, but they are learning how important it is to help those in need.”
Recent events have put a hold on many of our events and volunteer opportunities, but plans are underway to get things rolling again once they are permissible.
Here are just a few ways you can get involved!
Join our e-mail list to stay apprised of what is happening here in Singapore and at our schools.
Unpack, sort and inventory donated items.
Assemble hygiene kits for community distribution.
Carry an extra bag when you travel to Cambodia and get those donated items to the kids!
Organize a collection campaign for needed items.
Help raise awareness by volunteering at Singapore fairs and events.
Help us plan a Singapore fundraiser.
Take a trip and see our schools for yourself!
Join our Health team on their next health/vision screening trip.
Get involved with an existing CFC club or create a new one at your child’s school.
Explore how your company can support CFC.
Follow us on Instagram or our Singapore Facebook group.
Make a donation: It costs just $47 SGD to feed a child for a year and $243 SGD to send a child to school for an entire year. That figure includes 2 meals a day, a school uniform, school supplies, textbooks, a world-class curriculum, and so much more.
