It is difficult for poor village students to compete with students of privilege in Phnom Penh for acceptance in Cambodia's best universities. We view each of our village's students' enrollments in prestigious universities as a miracle.

That's why we chose to partner with the incredible non-profit Sustainable Schools International to send selected graduates of our middle school to their Leadership Academy. SSI's mission mirrors ours: to give village students the best educational opportunities possible while developing their character, based on a set of core values.

Years ago, our co-founder, Jim DeLong, stayed at SSI's nascent middle school in the remote village near Kampong Speu to learn how the inspirational Kari Grossman established so many successful programs.

We've marveled at how SSI's success has grown since then and decided to send promising graduates to attend their Leadership Academy, a college prep boarding school that has achieved remarkable success placing graduates in university and vocational-based career paths that fulfill their passions. And, students receive leadership training, career counseling, and community service mentorship and entrepreneurship, as well as internships with local Phnom Penh business and governmental agencies.

Unfortunately, the Leadership Academy program was discontinued in 2021.

Thanks to the quality of education while it was in existence, our alumni’s participation was wildly successful. Today most have graduated and are successfully employed in their chosen field or are seniors interning in a position that will enhance their employment aspects in their chosen field.

The breadth of majors is particularly inspiring to us! They all would really appreciate any  financial support you choose to give to help them ‘get on their feet’ after graduation.

Click here to read of the current status of our Leadership Academy alumni.