My Nonprofit Reviews
Mark Sandelson
Review for Cambodian Children's Fund, Santa Monica, CA, USA
I have been to Phnom Penh now three times and before first going I was introduced to CCF so I decided to go there. Forget that downtown tourist Phnom Penh is transforming itself and go to Steung Meanchey and see what Scott Neeson is doing............or should I say what isnt he doing.
Scott is indefatigable and nonstop he is coming up with programs that further differentiates CCF from other organizations. There are hundreds of kids from the most disenfranchised backgrounds who are being saved by CCF from abuse,violence and predators.
As of Xmas 2013 there were 1750 kids directly being served by CCF, most of whom were living at CCF and being cared for by a committed staff. I immediately sponsored two young girls there and have watched the transformation from shy nervous frightened kids to happy well nourished teenagers with friends and now even family members with them at CCF.
I think of it this way............one less Starbucks coffee a hundred days a year and you can directly save two children and give them a real chance - and I have met kids who will go to University and will have a direct impact on policy and simply because CCF was there.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make sure that more people knew of it and that local tourist organizations promoted this with the seal they promote less worthy places
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for Cambodian Children's Fund, Santa Monica, CA, USA
I have actually been to Phnom Penh and seen first hand the work of CCF. It is nothing short of amazing to walk around the various facilities and see the hundreds of kids, and to see what has been accomplished and what happens there on a daily basis.
Steung Meachey where CCF is located is one of the poorest areas I have ever seen and yet within CCF all the kids are well nourished and healthy and being cared for by Scott Neeson and his large and dedicated staff.
What is striking were you to walk around the area is that within CCF there is joy and health and it is surrounded by the complete opposite. Steung Meanchey was an area where the trash would be dumped daily and then sorted by the kids for recycled value and while the city dump has been finally relocated the areas problems remain as would be expected especially given the history of the country. Within that environment Scott has established criteria for the safety of hundreds of children and by providing the families of the kids small amounts of rice and produce he has a buy in on a local level from parents and locals alike.
If care and education wasn't enough there is also a clinic and maternity ward at CCF which serves the community at large. Where the authorities have failed CCF has succeeded and some 1300 plus kids are cared for, educated and fed in safety and away from danger whether in their own homes or elsewhere.
This is hands on help. Every dime given to CCF goes to CCF and not to expensive fundraising. Of all the charities I have ever supported this generates the greatest results on an individual child by child basis.
I sponsor two children there and the impact has been huge. I regularly hear from them and at Xmas managed a conversation with them via Skype which was organized as usual bt Scott. Additionally, i support other programs within CCF and regard these as having the highest possible ROI possible. Scott Neeson is there and his common sense hands on approach is something quite astounding to see.
More Feedback
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
