The 海角黑料 was privileged to host four doctors from the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF), as part of our ongoing collaboration with the charitable organisation.

Doctors from CCF standing near the Cambodian frieze.

After being welcomed by Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Jane Norman, the doctors took part in a varied and interesting programme covering a wide range of medical and social activities, thanks to the support of colleagues from across the Cripps Health Centre and the university.

During the week-long visit, it became clear that there are huge parallels between the clinical work which takes place at the Cripps Health Centre and the work of the CCF team in Cambodia, albeit separated by different cultures, opportunities and several thousand miles.

The Cambodian Children's Fund was founded in 2004 by Scott Neeson to help children in Steung Meanchey, one of the poorest areas in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh. Initially established to support 45 children in need, CCF now educates more than 2,000 children. In addition, it serves 12,000 people in the communities where it works through a range of community outreach, healthcare, childcare and vocational training programs.

The ongoing collaboration between the CCF and the 海角黑料’s School of Education - which offers CCF teaching and education staff the opportunity to study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi) - began with an introduction from Robert Cripps, Vice-President Philanthropy and Art of the Cripps Foundation and long-term CCF and 海角黑料 supporter. The Cripps Foundation and its affiliates have had an extraordinary impact on the university over many years and are one of the institution’s most generous donors.

What began as a visit in 2017 from the university’s School of Education to the Neeson Cripps Academy (NCA) grew into the long-term partnership to develop CCF’s Education Program. And in 2021, the organisation launched its first PGCEi cohort, marking a significant milestone in the professional development of its staff and teachers.

To mark the eight-year long partnership, last year the CCF presented the university with a stunning stone carving – a smaller replica of one in the traditional Angkor-Wat-style, hanging in the entrance of CCF’s high school, the NCA in Phnom Penh. The carving can be seen in the entrance to the Monica Partridge Building at University Park.