“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and dream about the future.” After visiting the Andong community, donor Babette (36) witnessed firsthand how the resilience of the residents, strengthened by education and coaching, breaks the cycle of poverty.
Read more: Seeing firsthand what opportunities mean: donor Babette’s storyFair opportunities for a bright future
For over ten years, Babette has been supporting DARA Europe. While her commitment originally began during her university years, her support gained an even deeper dimension after her trip to Cambodia. In Andong, families in vulnerable situations face major challenges on a daily basis. Without the right facilities, attending school is a significant challenge for many children.
During her visit, the impact of the work of our local partner Stellar became immediately clear. “Thanks to Stellar’s commitment, many of these children are given the opportunity to go to school and families are building a sustainable future,” Babette shares. Through Stellar, children find space to learn, play, and discover their talents, while parents receive practical tools to independently build a stable family life.
Local strength and sustainable commitment
What inspired Babette from the very beginning was DARA Europe’s choice not to offer one off support and projects, but to make a long-term investment in a single community. The drive and transparency of DARA Europe and Stellar also gave her confidence.
When founder Tirza recognized the need, she took immediate action. “It is such a large country that the chances were very high that Andong would never have had another NGO advocating for them,” Babette shares.
Furthermore, the equal way of working together touches her deeply. DARA Europe supports and facilitates as an enabler, but the programmes are fully owned and implemented by Cambodian professionals. Babette explains: “The work in Cambodia actually runs entirely on local staff. And I find it truly beautiful to see that the Stellar team assesses each situation individually: what is needed to help these families gain stability so that these children receive the opportunities they need. Because the guidance is shaped by people who know the language, culture, and needs better than anyone, the initiatives align seamlessly with the empowerment and intrinsic strength of the community.”
Because the guidance is shaped by people who know the language, culture, and needs better than anyone, the initiatives align seamlessly with the empowerment and intrinsic strength of the community.”
An inspiring lesson for the next generation
Now that she is a mother herself, Babette views the impact in Andong through a different lens. It fills her with gratitude to know that parents there receive the support to offer their children a better future, and that she can play a small part in that.
It is also a valuable lesson she wants to pass on to her own children: that families all over the world live under vastly different circumstances, but that we can all make a difference. To anyone considering whether to contribute, Babette is clear: “If you want to contribute to an organization that truly makes a direct impact on a community… donate, become a donor, and help out. Because with your support, so much more becomes possible.”
Together we give children the opportunity to shine.
Every child deserves the opportunity to shine and build an independent future. Thanks to the support of donors like Babette, children in Andong can go to school and families receive tailored support for lasting change. Would you also like to expand opportunities for children in Cambodia?
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And as we thank Babette for the interview, she thanks us: “Thank you, dear DARA Europe volunteers and the Stellar team for your hard work, because donating is one thing, but being a volunteer is certainly something else. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible, and we couldn’t make this impact together.”
