Cambodia Charitable Trust / NGO

This unique grassroots NGO was started by a New Zealand woman with significant energy and drive.

Denise Arnold is a lawyer in the provincial city of Tauranga. A defining moment for her was one of her children travelling to Asia at a time when child trafficking was in the news.

Her daughter came home safely but from that point on she has worked tirelessly to support children in rural Cambodia receive an education which would provide them with choices in life.

A typical school building and school yard in a CCT sponsored school in rural southern Cambodia.

Growing vegetables at school teaches children essential skills in a part of the world which has significant food insecurity.

The sponsorship of schools has impacted not only on the education of the children within those schools but also on the teaching practise of those employed in CCT sponsored schools.

The quality of education which CCT teachers provide, and the results they achieve in the challenging rural environment, has been recognised by the Cambodian government and CCT has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the curriculum and teaching methodology component for students in 18 of Cambodia’s Teachers Training Colleges.

A CCT school library - by providing libraries in sponsored schools children have a greater chance of developing a love of reading.

A volunteer assists with the annual classroom audit.

Another unique factor of Cambodian Charitable Trust is that all donations go 100% into the work in Cambodia. All the administration and services provided are provided by volunteers, who in addition to working in New Zealand travel to Cambodia to monitor and assist with the programmes.

Volunteer interviews students with CCT Cambodian staff translating.

“CCT is an example of what can be achieved by people with a personal commitment to make an impact and is a truly remarkable achievement driven from one woman’s vision.”