Annie Wilson - Director
When I was young I always felt I wanted to help the poor and underprivileged. When I finished high school I decided to train as a nurse with the vision of going to a developing country to help where possible. This dream was put aside while I married and had children but was reignited after my husband passed away.
I decided to move to Cambodia to volunteer and give my life to help find ways of creating and providing opportunities to help students with attaining vital education in this generation that would in turn make a difference in Cambodia‘s future.
Students that successfully graduate could then make valuable contributions to their communities. By providing tertiary education it enables each student the ability to support their families and to be more productive giving back to society. This will break the cycle of poverty .
Life is ‘real’ here. And every day is valuable. Having originally intended to volunteer for 6 months, I have now been here 6 years - I just can't bring myself to leave. There's so much need and so much I can contribute to improving people’s lives.
My eyes and heart have been opened to one of the poorest countries in the world. It’s overwhelming and everyone is affected. The country is still recovering from its tragic past of genocide during Pol Pot’s regime in the 1970s.
Countless numbers of children were left orphaned by the Khmer Rouge and the subsequent HIV epidemic. But many of these children were rescued and now have opportunities they would never have had otherwise.
Making those opportunities count for the youth of Cambodia is what our work is all about. Named ‘Aroha Project’ with the goal to bring practical love to the youth of Cambodia. (‘Aroha’ means love in New Zealand’s native language, Maori).
I'm witnessing cycles of poverty, illiteracy and neglect being broken every day.
With the generous help and support of sponsors like you, we have set up a Leadership Home in Phnom Penh, as well as a Scholarship program, to support young adults whilst they attend University. The home supports up to 8 students at once, taking care of their living and course costs so they can focus their full energy on study. With a good support structure in place, our hope and prayer is that they will grow into the future professionals and leaders that Cambodia so desperately needs to transform as a nation.
Over the last 9 years we have had the privilege to mentor, guide, encourage and walk alongside many underprivileged and orphaned youth.
The money raised here will allow us to directly assist the youth to live and study in this home and also assist our surrounding community. We can't all be here 'physically' but you can be here through the Aroha Project.
Mr Polin - Pastor
I am Polin, go by Paul. I am a pastor and founder of a local home church and an education center in Phnom Penh called Living Seeds Cambodia.
we are not just a congregation and a center but a movement of faith, dedicated to living out God's love in our community.
Through our church and education center’s programs, we are providing not just physical help but also hope and spiritual support.
Aroha project has been a faithful partner who has worked alongside us by demonstrating God’s love and compassion toward the most needy in our community.
Together, we aspire to make a difference.