WHY WE MATTER

The Pol Pot genocide of 1970's left Cambodia devastated.  Millions of Cambodians faced death in the killing fields or through starvation as a means for one tyrant to cleanse the country of  anyone whom he felt threatened by including those with education, political experience or any type of intellectual background.  As a result, Cambodia's micro economic development has been severely stunted, and the grossly young and under-educated population that remained, was left to pick up the pieces.  Decades later, some of these same struggles persist as much of the current Cambodian population lacks the experience, education and the financial means to provide the things most Americans take for granted: education, healthcare, sanitation, clean water, adequate nutritious food sources, and the opportunity to thrive.   

In the wake of a devastated country, picture yourself growing up with nothing.  Dirt for a floor, thatch or tin for a roof, a cup of rice for each meal, no electricity, and no way out.  Now imagine someone setting up a craft shop in your village and offering you a chance to learn a trade to become an artisan.  Imagine that you can now generate money that will be used to help the rest of your village in its struggle to survive, place food on your family's table and provide the chance for yourself or your younger brother or sister to attend college and to have a better quality of life. 

Now imagine what good you can do to help create a better quality of life.