Growing support for the Tomato Village Learning Centre

The continuation of the Tomato Village Learning Centre for most of 2015 is secured. The school was founded in 2004 but unfortunately lost its initial funder last year.

Burmese caretaker lands a job through Philanthropy Connections

For a year Hsam Noan, in a wonderful way, took care of the girls from ‘our’ shelter for Burmese refugee children at the Koung Jor camp.

Michelle Emmel takes on a new challenge in the Netherlands

Eye glasses project by students University of St. Gallen

Philanthropy Connections offers a wide array of services. We often arrange financial support for worthy projects, but we also contact other institutions, who can contribute their expertise to organisations we already work with. This way those organisations also benefit from our partners’ support.

Over four years ago we connected the Swiss University of St. Gallen to our Cambodian partner ‘KAKO’. Since then, we work closely together with a changing group of master students 'Strategy and International Management’.

This is maybe stating the obvious, but glasses allow people with impaired eyesight to see better. For many disadvantaged people in Asia however, glasses simply aren’t affordable. It’s a Catch 22: good eyesight increases the chances of a successful, independent and full participation in society.

In areas around Siem Reap there are about 10,000 people suffering from poor vision.

In their project ‘inSight Cambodia’, the current seven St. Gallen students of ‘Helping KAKO’ have made it their mission to provide glasses to at least 500 people by the end of this year. In collaboration with local partners eye tests are conducted and glasses with custom cut lenses are offered to people who could otherwise not afford them.

To illustrate the dire medical situation in this specific area:

• There is only one doctor per 33,000 inhabitants
• The average daily income € 2.50
• 10,000 people are visually impaired

Most problems can simply be solved with good glasses, custom made for each individual. This is something the students want to accomplish.

A warm welcome for Philanthropy Connections at the ‘Heeren van Sminia’ gala dinner

A special invitation for Sallo; not only was he offered a ticket to visit his home country, the Netherlands, just before Christmas; the ticket came with the request to represent Philanthropy Connections at a fundraising gala dinner organised by the ‘Heeren van Sminia’, an exclusive service club for entrepreneurs and executives.

In the Dutch city of Leeuwarden, home base of the ‘Heeren van Sminia’ more than 200 guests offered a warm welcome.

The man behind the ‘Heeren van Sminia‘, Mr. Geert Schaaij made Philanthropy Connections the single charitable beneficiary of the evening. He, his wife Gea and a group of dedicated contributors moved mountains to organise the event.

This Christmas gift that was offered to us, was an evening that included an impressive auction, a raffle and artists who performed pro bono. All proceeds go straight to Philanthropy Connections.

The gala was hosted by TV personality Catherine Keyl, who has been our board member from the start, and has been invaluable for us in many ways.

The auction items were spectacular: among other things, the suit that famous Dutch singer Gerard Joling wore for King William Alexander's Coronation day, a painting by celebrated artist Ans Markus, a supporting role in a film directed by renowned film maker Steven de Jong and the use of a private jet for a day all came under the hammer of the auctioneer.

Sallo was deeply impressed by the evening: "To to get this kind of support is simply fantastic. It is heartwarming and very motivating. We can continuously do more, for more people in need ".

A great many thanks to the ‘Heeren van Sminia‘ and to all who have contributed!