Kulin to Cambodia

House Building and Humanitarian Youth Leadership Initiative

In 2022, Cropportunity added something unique to our business strategy.

Alongside our agronomy work, we proudly facilitate the “Kulin to Cambodia” initiative, which offers two Kulin high school students and two teachers a fully funded annual opportunity to travel to rural Cambodia for a week and assist with house building and humanitarian projects. This initiative emerged after the closure of the Camp Kulin youth program, inspiring us to find new ways to foster development for young people in our community.

The initiative aims to provide participants with a transformative leadership experience that broadens their perspectives as global citizens. Our partnership with The Helping Foundation Australia, who have been operating in Cambodia for almost 20 years and have built over 1,000 homes in Cambodia, ensures a well-structured, safe and impactful program. Their approach involves using proven, Australian Government-approved programs and Cambodian charities.  

We have already facilitated two successful trips (2023 & 2024), with plans for the 2025 and 2026 journeys currently in the works. The "Kulin to Cambodia" initiative profoundly impacts both the local Kulin participants and the Cambodian communities they serve. The five students and four teachers who participated in the 2023 & 2024 trips collectively impacted over 1500 Cambodians through building homes, donating cows, and providing essential supplies to vulnerable children. These experiences have not only changed lives in Cambodia but also instilled a strong sense of empathy and active citizenship in the participants.

 

Thanks to the amazing and generous support of businesses, community organisations and individuals from Kulin and beyond, the trips are fully funded for the students and teachers. In return, participants are expected to also help fundraise and commit to being active ambassadors for the initiative. Students must also present their experiences to the community and sponsors when they return from their trip.  

Planning is now underway for 2025 trip

Our next trip is planned for 10 - 18th October 2025 (Week 1 of Term 4). In Term 1 of 2025, an independent community panel will review applications, interview and select up to three students and two teachers.  

Participants will spend five mornings constructing homes, significantly improving the lives of impoverished families. This collaborative effort, akin to a community "busy bee," allows students to work alongside Cambodian families, fostering meaningful connections and community engagement. The challenging conditions—often with heat and humidity reaching 90%—require resilience and teamwork, teaching valuable life skills. Teachers accompanying the students play a crucial role in enhancing local leadership and sustainability, guiding students in their fundraising initiatives and helping them engage with local organisations.

Watch this space for information about the application and selection process. If you would like to know more about this amazing opportunity, please contact Gen Whisson at gen@consultag.com.au