Elli Kyriacou

23supported

$1,020.00raised of $1,000.00 goal

Did you know that Cambodia was ranked the 4th friendliest country in the world? It’s surprising since so many Cambodian families live in absolute poverty and can’t afford basic necessities, such as food, clean water, medical/hygiene supplies or an education.

After teaching in Cambodia for more than 2 years, I learned that most children from impoverished families have dreams and goals for their future, but they don’t believe they will ever achieve their goals because of the life they were born into. It’s understood that they will have to live life working long hours in a low paying job to survive, because gaining an education to break the poverty cycle is unaffordable. Without an education, the chances of breaking out of poverty are very slim. But REACH Siem Reap gives these families a chance to turn life around.

REACH Siem Reap has replaced their planned inaugural charity bike ride with a creative fundraising event to provide impoverished youths with a life-changing experience. I’ve chosen to participate in this event by sponsoring a youth to train for 4 months and cycle 200kms in 2 days, while I fundraise on their behalf.

REACH’s immediate goal is to make sure that the families they support can survive the pandemic, through providing them with emergency medical, food supplies, and continued public school education. Providing these necessities will give families hope so that they will resist the temptation of missing out on school to work, or worse, crossing the borders into neighbouring countries to find work, where they are at risk of exploitation and/or human trafficking. This is not uncommon, but sadly, few victims return to Cambodia to tell their stories.

Poverty is prominent in Cambodia and it results in many sad stories for families. But with an education, there is hope! That’s why I’m so passionate about supporting this cause to break the poverty cycle and change lives.

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