About Us

Jenni Lipa, President of the Friends of CCDO, Inc., was first made aware of the situation when she visited Siem Reap in July 2007 and was fortunate to have Mr. Panha Ou as her guide. She learned that it costs $220 to build a water well that is assured to be free from contaminates and is guaranteed for 8- 10 years.

After building her first water well, Jenni then approached friends, clients and colleagues and together they have contributed to the construction of 160 water wells. Panha, with his other tour clients has built a total of 275.

Soon the need for educating and supporting children who are unable to afford the school supplies surfaced. Fueled by the quest to provide education for the poorest children, Jenni's research revealed that a school starter kit which includes uniform, shoes, books and book bags cost $25 per child and that it costs $50 per year to keep a child in school. A mere $5 per month will feed a school going child who often walks 3km to school in each direction and only has dry bread to eat as their meal.

A visit in July 2008 saw the need for providing funds for an existing orphanage, as well as supporting schools and providing English teachers.

Panha is full of dreams for his country and realizes that children are the future. Cambodian Child's Dream Organization (CCDO) is a non-profit and non-political charity organization, officially licensed by Ministry of Interior of Cambodia (License No.1269). CCDO hopes to improve health, life expectancy and living conditions by supplying such necessities as, clean water wells and toilets. It is important as well, to provide education in the community in the form of libraries, classrooms, kindergartens, school stationery. CCDO sponsorship enables poor children to attend schools by supplying uniforms, shoes, book bags and school supplies.

Please note that both Cambodian Child's Dream Organization and Friends of CCDO, Inc. operate with bare bones expenses, and over 91% of all monies raised go to funding the various projects. It is a true grassroots charity.

Board of Directors:

Nicole Ahronee
Marisol Couso
Thomas DeLeo
Helen Fullem
Jenni Lipa
Mary McManus
David & Eileen Peretz