Founded in 2011 by the Palti family from Melbourne, Australia, the Cambodia Rural Students Trust  is a Non-Government Organisation registered with the Cambodian Interior Ministry.

By giving people a hand up rather than a hand out, they sponsor bright students from poor rural families, to study at the best high school and university in Siem Reap. Their mentorship, life-skills and business-skills experiences, form the foundation of an empowered life and social contribution.

CRST is managed on the ground entirely by the students, who receive daily mentoring on managing an organisation. They are also mentored as they manage several projects and enterprises – all designed to give them hands-on business, leadership and management skills. 

https://www.cambodiaruralstudentstrust.org

Phanich Ron was the first speaker: she told us of her family struggled financially, and she was partially brought ip by her grandmother. She is currently pursuing a Business Administration Bachelor's degree. 

She said: “Despite the challenges, I understood that being a good student would be the only way to show my love and respect to my hardworking parents. Education has changed my life, and I am grateful for the opportunities that CRST and the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap have provided me as a young leader."

Tola Nam also came from a poor background, with an alcoholic father and family violence. Following divorce and death of his grandmother, he considers himself fortunate to have received a scholarship.

After graduating from High School, he is studying Business Administration at University in Siem Reap, with classes given in English. He hopes to inspire others to “do better”, and to give back to the community. 

Lita Seng, Sokal Nov and Deb Chhay joined the others at the podium and briefly spoke about the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap’s community projects.

These include: Bicycles for Education, Empowering Girls, Light for Education, Plastic Education Program, Trees for Life, The Volunteer Experience, WASH for Education and Frozen Yogurt Store.  

You can read more about these projects at:  https://www.cambodiaruralstudentstrust.org/our-projects

Through these projects they reach 20,000 rural students, and feel they are “no longer poor, and can see the blue sky”.

These inspirational Rotaractors certainly impressed us: it is easy to envision them as  Cambodian leaders, and the next generation of Rotary. 

After a vote of thanks, Tola graciously presented President Andrew with a gift.