The Need
Cambodia continually ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 80% of Cambodians are employed in the informal sector. These jobs often entail inadequate pay, instability, and even physical danger. Cambodian households also tend to be multi-generational, which increases the burden on breadwinners, as they must provide for both their children and their parents. Between 300,000 and 400,000 Cambodians enter the labor market every year, 32% of which are under the age of 15, as Cambodia is home to one of the world’s youngest populations.
The quality of education in Cambodia is poor, as seen by UNESCO’s report that Cambodia ranks 170th in the world with only 1.6% of its GDP is devoted to education. Together these factors compound the original problem—not only are many Cambodians poor, but they are often unskilled and uneducated and lack the resources necessary to lift themselves and their families out of the poverty from which they suffer. Cambodia Job Foundation aims to provide these resources and teach individuals ways in which they can help themselves and others. As opposed to many variations of the “handout” approach, CJF is able to offer self-reliance—by working with individuals based on their unique circumstances and needs in order to start and grow successful businesses.
Center for Education
From IT and Computer classes to Business and English, our Academy for Business Creation
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Volunteers Needed!
CJF also operates its own businesses to increase its sustainability and to create employment opportunities.
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Humble Beginnings: The Founding of CJF
In 2007 Wilf and Suzanne Stagg moved to Battambang, Cambodia to volunteer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. During the two years they spent there, the Staggs saw a great need many of their Cambodian friends to have the stability, self-reliance, and confidence that come from quality employment. Upon their return to the United States in 2009, the Staggs decided to start a non-profit organization that would buy teaching materials as well as fund wages for several Cambodians to teach piano and literacy classes in Battambang. They named this organization the Cambodia Job Foundation (CJF). In 2011, Delyn and Vicky Yeates were volunteering in the very same area and found that the local community was without a cemetery.
When the Staggs became aware of the situation, they offered to raise the necessary funds through CJF. Shortly thereafter, the Yeates agreed to take over the Foundation. In 2013, Justin Oldroyd, who had participating in teaching the Academy for Creating Enterprise (ACE) curriculum and mentoring individuals with small businesses in Latin America and had also spent time volunteering in Cambodia, approached David Moon, the Cambodia Phnom Penh LDS Mission President at the time, with a plan to help individuals and families in Cambodia become more self-sufficient. With Justin’s help, an initial staff was hired and trained in the use of the curriculum.
The Yeates and Staggs agreed to let the new effort take over the existing non-profit organization Cambodia Job Foundation (CJF). CJF established the Academy for Business Creation and began a course aimed at teaching sound business principles to Cambodians in order to create meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities. Today CJF has expanded to offer additional programs that teach principles of entrepreneurship, help families save and manage their finances better, train young adults in needed job skills, and provide coaching for small businesses. To learn more about CJF’s current programs, click here. CJF has also established several successful businesses of its own, providing employment for dozens of individuals. To learn more about CJF’s current businesses, Click here!
Cambodia Team
NEANG VEASNA
DIRECTOR
KONG PHEAN
OPERATIONS MANAGER
UN SOPHALLAROTH
BUSINESS CREATION TEAM, TOURISM
HUN SOPHEA
BUSINESS CREATION, AGRICULTURE
MAE DARARITH
IT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
SOK SOVANNARET
BUSINESS TEAM MENTOR
SAM TAN
BUSINESS TEAM MENTOR
SOPHEA SOM
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING
U.S. Team
DAVE AND KATHRYN MOON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
VERN BELCHER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
K. DELYN YEATES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JUSTIN OLDROYD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELISA CLEMENTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUSTEN SWEETEN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LEEANN & TOM PERRY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHLOE LITCHFIELD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RICHARD AND LAUREL VERHAAREN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADAM VORE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TAMARA TRAN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SHANE HARRISON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success."
You can make a difference!
We are deeply grateful for your contributions and generosity. Your support makes possible the ongoing efforts to realize the mission of CJF to create successful businesses and better-paying jobs for those who are in need. Although we are still a small organization, and relatively young, we have big goals, and your support is much needed and appreciated. We hope you will help us reach out to others who might be inclined to give their support.
