Project Enlighten & The Greater Knowledge Fund
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
Your contributions give us hope.
Scholarships
- PE Cambodia David A. Linsdell available to qualifying Khmer students.
- PE Burma John Fletcher McKim Scholarship: available to qualifying Burmese students.
- Landmine Museum Scholarship
Overview
The Greater Knowledge Fund, encompasses the David A. Linsdell Scholarship (Cambodia Education), John F. McKim Scholarship (Burma Education) and Landmine Museum Scholarships. Students are selected based on financial need, academics, their application, essay submission and their potential to positively contribute to society.
The Landmine Museum Scholarships are available to the youth at the Cambodia Land Mine Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia*. It has been designed to meet specific educational needs for the youth living at Akira's Landmine Museum & Orphanage. Find more information on Aki Ra & the Landmine Museum.
Our Vision
To provide an educational avenue for underprivileged youth who show a strong desire to contribute to a positive future. We hope to empower and encourage our scholarship recipients to firmly address the greatest issues confronting their people and their country. Through unpaid volunteerism, students will gain invaluable work experience in the field of their choice, contributing to an upward spiral of compassion, education and cultural rebirth. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a better future and inspire these young leaders to effect positive change with very little assistance.
We will continue to work closely with local communities to develop and coordinate our scholarships in a way that affords sustainability over time. Scholarships or vocational training courses are provided to recipients during the academic year or vocational training session. Students who are awarded a scholarship will be held to high standards; Monitoring of attendance, academic performance and overall progress will be observed. Students will be given guidance to help them work toward their career goals and to keep focused. Any issues that may occur during the school year, will be addressed and worked out with the assistance of educators and resources on ground.
We need your help!
We depend on your donations which are invaluable to the success of this program. In 2008 we were able to award three scholarships in Cambodia and one for a Burmese refugee living in Thailand. It was with the generous donations from many supporters that enabled these young adults go to University. We would like to expand our scholarship program to enable many others to have the same opportunity and for our existing students to finish their education. To pay the very modest cost of a university education or vocational training in South East Asia, helps enrich lives and extend greater opportunities to youth in their countries. You have the power to effect not one, but many!
Student Eligibility
- Youth from impoverished backgrounds who show the qualities of Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness and Citizenship
- Recipients earn their scholarships by volunteering at least 5 hours per week in their community or through Project Enlighten as an educator or mentor.
- Candidates must submit an essay about their decision to attend college/vocational training. Essay must describe applicants goals for the future and highlight what makes them the best scholar. Student should not mention financial hardship, we want to understand their vision for the future, what their biggest dreams are and what makes them the top choice for the scholarship.
- Students must also have two written recommendations (from community leaders, teachers or mentors).
- To maintain their scholarship, students must have 80% attendance in all classes and keep an overall GPA of 3.0 or "B" for each term.
Scholarships cover the following costs:
- Tuition (Uniforms and basic study materials included in fee)
- Educational Materials/supplies as needed
- Vocational/Trade Supplies
- Bicycle (only if needed)
- Laptop (for advanced students, availability & quality not guaranteed)
- Education/Career Guidance
- Additional benefits based on individual needs
On behalf of the students we say "Aww-guhn" /Thank you!
*In the past, sponsors made commitments to support individual youth at the Landmine Museum. As in life, things change, The Landmine Museum has a meaningful policy which discourages individual sponsorship of the youth. We support this decision, as the policy was put in place to protect the youth, in accordance to the United Nations. We hope you understand and continue to pledge support for these remarkable young people. All funds collected on behalf of these extraordinary youth will benefit many in need.