The inauguration of the Neeson Cripps Academy (NCA) happened for the second time on Friday in Steung Meanchey commune, Capital Phnom Penh, in the presence of Mr. William A. Heidt, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia; Mr. Scott Neeson, founder of the Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF); and Mr. Pech Keo Mony, Meanchey district's mayor.
According to Mr. Neeson, NCA was built on the former landfill in Steung Meanchey commune, with a view to help children living on the dump site get education.
"I arrived here in 2004 with the simple aim of getting children off of the appalling Steung Meanchey garbage dump and into school," said Scott Neeson.
NCA is a very beautiful school building in the middle of most impoverished communities. The school was fully funded and constructed by Velcro Companies. The first inauguration of the school took place on February 16.
As reported by CCF, NCA provides high quality education by focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM education).
Mr. Neeson said that in Steung Meanchey, many Cambodian families live in extreme poverty, and with many social problems such as alcoholism, drug addiction and domestic violence. The construction of NCA responds exactly to the needs of the people living on this old garbage dump.
"The NCA is the most visible symbol of that progress – a beacon of learning right on the doorstep of the old dump. Those children who once begged Scott “som tov rien” – take me to study – could never have imagined that dream would be realised in the form of gleaming new learning spaces, high-tech facilities and science laboratories which would compete with any school in South East Asia," wrote CCF on its website.
As for CCF, with the right education and support, children could have the potential to lift their entire family out of poverty. And with a generation of educated children, a whole society could be changed.
NCA's programs focus on 6 cores areas - Education, Leadership, Community Outreach, Healthcare, Childcare and Vocational Training. According to CCF, these programs are aiming to solve the complex poverty issues and to transform former garbage workers into the leaders of tomorrow.
The NCA building was designed by COOKFOX Architects, a well-known American company that designed the buildings of the Bank of America headquarters. The building is named after Scott Neeson and Robert Cripps, former Velcro Companies Chairman.
"There are few things more fulfilling in life than helping someone’s dream take form and knowing that it will benefit many people for years to come," said Mr. Robert Cripps as reported by CCF.
Velcro Companies, a technology-driven organization, is working to provide business solutions to companies and consumers around the world. For this reason, the company is committed to improve education by improving the lives of children around the globe.
"We set out to design the healthiest, safest and most effective school building possible that would help CCF to provide a world-class education. The design is inspire by Khmer culture," said Mr. Rick Cook, founder of COOKFOX Architects, as reported by CCF.
The two CCF's main goals are Education and Leadership. As a result, CCF's Education Program is to provide opportunities for students to help their families get out of poverty, while CCF's Leadership Program is for students to make better future for themselves as well as for their country.
Besides school, CCF is also working with poor families in Steung Meanchey to build plans in order to avoid debt, and to develop job skills for parents and older children. In sum, CCF is working at the grassroots level to tackle poverty issues.
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