Question 1

Why is Cambodia still one of the poorest countries in the South East Asia region?

Accepted Answer

In the years 1975-1979 between 1.7 and 2.2 million people fell victim to the Khmer Rouge terror regime. About a third of the population was murdered and the entire cultural and intellectual property of the country systematically destroyed. Afterwards, a civil war broke out, which could be pacified only at the end of the nineties. Only 20 years ago, Cambodia was in ruins and ashes. The shadow of the terror regime and the civil war still lays over the country today.
Since the end of the civil war, the country is undergoing a process of stabilization and development. The country's infrastructure is being gradually improved and the economy is growing steadily. Cambodia is still lagging in its development compared to Thailand and Vietnam. There is a lot of catching up to do at all levels. 90% of the poor people live in remote rural areas. They benefit little from the economic boom. Many people are pushing for Phnom Penh. In hardly any other city is the gap between poor and rich so great. It is a great challenge to persuade the lower stratum of society, who are striving for consumption and wealth, to share responsibility with the disadvantaged. Unfortunately, corruption is widespread.

Question 2

Why are we supporting the students?

Accepted Answer

NGOs working in Cambodia primarily support primary education and low level vocational training. Talented young people who want to go to university after high school are hardly supported by the NGOs, although they have a decisive influence on the future of the country. As entrepreneurs or executives and leaders in companies, they will have an influence on jobs and responsible behavior towards people. Those who drop out due to lack of funds are easily on the wrong track despite their potential.

Question 3

What criteria do we use to select students?

Accepted Answer

The selection of students is based on transparent criteria:
 • High school graduation
 • Letter of motivation and interview for a personal background, intrinsic motivation and study objective
 • Ideally, already enrolled in their studies to demonstrate will
 • Employment parallel to studies (usually with 80-100% employment) in order to earn one's own living and at the same time gain work experience
 • References of relevant persons
 • No financial support from family members, scholarships from other organizations or other donations

Question 4

How many students are supported?

Accepted Answer

STUDAID plans to provide a space for a maximum of 20 students at the same time. Vacant places will be filled again. Thus, over 10 years, it is the goal to support 40-50 students.

Question 5

What is the duration of a sponsorship and what is the expected annual contribution?

Accepted Answer

As a sponsor and mentor, you support a student until he or she has reached his or her study goal, i.e. for about 3 to 4 years. For most students, the study objective is a Bachelor’s Degree. If the student wants to add a Master's degree, a new agreement is needed. The sponsor is free to stop or to continue supporting the Master's degree program.
The amount of annual sponsorship varies depending on the academic year and English level. In general, between USD 1,400 and USD 1,900 can be expected per year. This also depends on whether anchor sponsors can be found for the STUDAID seminars, which fund these base cost as a whole.
You make your donation based on a transparent annual budget, which is created by the STUDAID program manager under exact knowledge of the local conditions.
 
The students can also be supported with partial amounts, so that we can finance the studies of one student with several donations/sponsors.

Question 6

How does reporting to the sponsors work?

Accepted Answer

"Your" student has the obligation to inform you regularly about the progress towards the study objective. This is usually done via social media such as WhatsApp, line, e-mail, skype etc. Once a year you will receive a structured report, which the student will create together with the STUDAID program manager on site. In addition, you will receive an annual report on the STUDAID program as a whole, summarizing key metrics and current priorities of the program.

Question 7

What contribution do the sponsored students provide?

Accepted Answer

The students signing an agreement commit themselves to working towards the best of their ability to achieve the goal of the study. To earn their living and gain hands-on experience in the professional world, students must be employed, usually at 50-80%. The students have to report regularly on their progress in their studies. If an agreement is broken unfounded, this will lead to the termination of the contract. In addition, students are expected to share some of the support they have received with others, once they are settled in their future job. This can be done in different ways: as a mentor for younger students or high school students, in the care of children of middle-aged parents, as English teachers in primary schools, or in the creation of jobs as entrepreneurs etc.

Question 8

Who is PGH – People for Global Humanity?

Accepted Answer

PGH - People for Global Humanity - is a Swiss non-profit association that has been active in Cambodia since 2009. Over the last few years, 140 children and teenagers have found a home in the PGH-supported SCD children's home and received support in their education. For more information see: www.pgh-charity.org. The STUDAID program is handled as part of the PGH organization. High School graduates from the SCD children's home can be accepted into the STUDAID program, provided they are suitable.

Question 9

How is it ensured that the donations really benefit the student?

Accepted Answer

The funds donated by you to the "PGH Studaid" account will be transferred 1:1 to the student's personal STUDAID escrow account in Phnom Penh.
The payments to the students are made only on presentation of receipts and in the context of the individual annual budget determined by the STUDAID program manager. The disbursements are made by the lawyer / trustee commissioned by STUDAID. Each deposit and withdrawal is detailed in the STUDAID accounting on the "account sheet" of the student or the sponsor.

Question 10

How much are administrative costs of STUDAID?

Accepted Answer

The administration costs for STUDAID are kept as small as possible. All coordination and administrative work of STUDAID contributors in Switzerland is based on volunteering.
The administration costs directly attributable to the student are budgeted in a transparent manner and paid for by the sponsor. These include: currency translation costs (CHF in USD), bank transfer costs, and attributable fees for the attorney/trustee in Phnom Penh.
The costs for the STUDAID Program Manager on site as well as for the STUDAID seminars will, if possible, be covered by anchor sponsors, who support the program as a whole. Nevertheless, one-time donations to cover such costs are always welcome.

Question 11

What makes the STUDAID program unique?

Accepted Answer

STUDAID wants more than just monetary donations. Through your work as a sponsor and mentor, you support a student you personally know directly - from person to person. This is a contribution that is not to be understimated you can provide with some time and heart.
In addition, you enable "your" students to participate in STUDAID's own seminars, which prepare the students for their future professional life and have a lasting effect. Especially because the transition to professional life after the successful studies is of high importance to the lasting effect of your money and time donation.
Finally, students in the STUDAID community are brought together during and after their studies in order to form a group of people who can help themselves and others.

Frequently asked questions