How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Cambodia

As we all know, Thanksgiving is an exclusively American holiday. The holiday celebrates the indigenous Americans' kindness towards the first English settlers; these indigenous peoples taught the settlers how to survive in America: teaching them how to fish, bathe, and dress. Although Thanksgiving as a holiday doesn't apply to Cambodia, we can still celebrate Thanksgiving by giving back to our nation. Cambodia has numerous charities and NGOs all over the country. Below is a list of charities that you could donate to this Thanksgiving:

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Wildlife Alliance: this organization rehabilitated rescued animals from illegal trade deals. The rescued animals are held at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. No matter the kind of animal, Wildlife Alliance accepts all species. Donations go to investments in specialized care, vet salaries, and management of nature enclosures.

80% of the healed animals are sent back into the wild (in a protected habitat)

DONATE HERE: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/wildlifealliance/

EDUCATION

PEPY Empowering Youth: this organization helps teach children, at the high school level, and develops their professional & personal skills. Over 1000 students from remote areas. There's opportunity for higher education scholarships.

Helping Hands: Based in Siem Reap (2nd poorest province in Cambodia), children are provided education in their village to avoid having to travel (often by bike) 2 hours just to attend school. For children who aren't physically able or can't sacrifice that much commute time to go to school, Helping Hands gives them the opportunity to learn.

Tiny Toones: An organization that educates kids who never went to school/dropped out with hip hop, arts & education. Tiny Toones centre teaches 100 kids and aims to prevent them from falling into drugs, crime, or poverty.

DONATE HERE: 

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/free-education-for-300-children-in-cambodia/

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/changing-kids-lives-with-hip-hop-education-and-art/

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/pepy-organization-and-youth/

PEACEKEEPING & HEALTH

Peace Bridges: provides training for peacekeeping and a transformative journey for Cambodians to deal with issues like rapid development, war aftermath, and systematic violence. This organization aims to educate Cambodians on soft skills to end generational trauma and recurring violence

Trailblazer: This organization is working towards improving, health & hygeine, food security, and economic development. Their health program targets water and creating filters in rural areas. Waterborne diseases are too common in rural areas & could be easily solved by establishing a clean water source.

DONATE HERE: 

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-cambodians-end-family-and-community-violence/

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/advancing-health-and-hygiene-with-clean-water/

- Jasleen. K