Cambodian Community Dream Organization, Inc.

Dream Journal – January 2025



Happy Start to the New Year 2025

We hope your year is off to a good start. We are building upon the successes of the previous year with gratitude to our steadfast supporters who sustain many important initiatives. 



Women’s Program

We are so appreciative of Soroptimist International vision for our rural women. We know that when we invest in women, their education and empowerment, they reinvest resources back into their communities, particularly in education and healthcare for their children, changing the future of their family and society as a whole. 

In 2024, together we focused on promoting gender equality and empowering women in Cambodia with 1,288 women enrolled in the program.

The project notably improved perceptions of women's decision-making rights and inspired 132 women and girls to start small local businesses such as selling food, drink, dessert, and fruit by using their motorcycle or bicycle to sell around the village; buying vegetables and fruit from their community and selling them in town like corn, watermelon, sweet potato etc. or selling gasoline in the bottle in front of their home; and selling groceries and drink in front of their house. Others were encouraged to engage in vegetable gardening, animal raising, and handicrafts for additional income.

Hear Noy Sa’s story from Tapang Village

Breakfast at Bangkong

Due to the continued support of Rotary Club Central Hong Kong, the 126 students at Bangkong School are provided with a nutritious breakfast 6 days a week freshly cooked at school.

The project served 29,434 nutritious meals in 2024. In the spirit of care and equality all students are welcome to eat breakfast. This approach ensured that no students were classified as underweight or stunted, highlighting the program's effectiveness in promoting nutritional health among participants.

The school has reported a remarkable achievement, with 100% of students successfully advancing to the next grade level and transitioning to secondary school this year (specifically, the students in Grade 6). Additionally, their exceptional attendance rate exceeded 97%, indicating a high level of student engagement and regular school attendance. 



Digital Literacy Graduation

Due to the generous grant of Bastion Foundation, 540 educators across 44 primary schools in the Pouk district underwent training focused on essential computer and technological classroom administration skills.

The curriculum encompassed Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, alongside foundational competencies in Google platforms and social media tools such as Telegram and Messenger. Additionally, the program addressed basic data analysis techniques, significantly enhancing the teachers' work performance and overall effectiveness.

We commend the teachers for their impressive engagement levels, boasting an annual attendance rate of 96%. Notably, all participants successfully completed the program, leading to the distribution of 44 comprehensive computer manual books assembled by CCDO trainers for reference in each school.

Cecilia Neher Board Resignation

We reluctantly accepted the resignation of Board Member Cecilia Neher of Bastion Foundation. She has decided to take a hiatus from all activities so that she can take care of family matters. We thank her for her invaluable advice and being part of the growth of CCDO in more ways than one. 



Staff News

Our lovely computer teacher at TaPang school, Kimly Rob, recently married in a colorful ceremony. Please join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to Kimly Rob and her new husband Thoeurn Vibol. We are all excited to share in this wonderful moment and wish them a lifetime of happiness together.

And the CCDO family grows! Our Education Coordinator, Sovoan Sem and her husband Chamran Ouk, had an adorable baby girl. She has two brothers, who are anxious to spoil her.

Our Teacher Trainer, Sothea Phonn & wife Pisey Sen, welcomed their second son. Sothea Rithy Jesda who weighed in at 3.1 KG (6.8s lbs).

Donors

CCDO is grateful for longtime supporter Gene Dunham who generously donated $1,750. 

Also, Carol & Mark Duster contributed $1,000 to continue sponsoring Srey Leap and her family. She was originally abandoned by her father and she and her siblings were being cared for by their grandmother who had no financial resources. We have seen Srey Leap grow from baby to young school student.