We are excited to share that that in September of this year Lifting Generations opened a new Learning and Mentoring Center in Phnom Penh Cambodia. According to the World Bank, “Around 4.5 million people in Cambodia (approximately 35%) remain at or near the poverty line. They are extremely vulnerable to falling back into poverty when exposed to economic and other external shocks.”
We know that many families in these surrounding communities will benefit from the courses being offered at our new center. When the Learning and Mentoring Center opened its doors in September, 84 students were registered in courses covering English, Basic Computers, Graphic Design, Sales/Customer Service, and Personal Leadership. Our classes are provided every day and take 15 weeks to complete. We offer three semesters annually.
Graduating students from this new Learning and Mentoring Center will have greater opportunities for job placement in the market while small business owners will receive business training to improve and grow their enterprises to new levels of success. These graduating students will become more self-reliant in their economic situations and learn to decrease their personal consumer debt so that when hard economic times come, their education will help them continue to find and receive secure and steady employment.
We are eternally grateful for the support of Matt and Allison Smith for helping fund this new Learning and Mentoring Center in Cambodia. They have supported an orphanage in this region for several years. Now, this Learning and Mentoring Center will help parents and young adults further their opportunities for jobs and small business growth. There is finally a support organization for everyone in this community!
David A. Christensen, President of the newly merged Mentors International-Lifting Generations organization stated, “This is a historic moment when we demonstrate the simple, yet very powerful and impactful model (developed in Latin America over the past two decades). We are now planted and poised to flourish in Asia and other parts of the world. This is very exciting to witness!!! We could not be more pleased.”
