The King of Cambodia has honored staff and major donors of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) for their significant impact on the lives of children in need through their work and support for the leading charity.
His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni presented the honours during the charity’s 20th-anniversary celebrations in Phnom Penh.
Some travelled from the USA and Australia to receive the awards in a ceremony at the Neeson Cripps Academy, CCF’s high school in Steung Meanchey.
16 CCF Board Members and major donors were awarded the Royal Order of Sahametrei Maha Sirivudha (Grand Cross), the highest award for Distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia by foreigners.
Not all were able to attend in person to receive the top honour.
CCF staff were also honoured for their work transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families living in one of the most impoverished areas of Cambodia.
This included Scott Neeson, CCF’s Founder and Executive Director, who gave up his Hollywood career to move to Cambodia and set up CCF in 2004 after visiting the Steung Meanchey garbage dump and witnessing thousands of children living and working amid the mountain of trash.
Kram Sokchannoeurn, the first employee to help Scott Neeson launch CCF in Cambodia, was also honoured. Now CCF’s Country Manager, she leads and oversees CCF’s programs, managing hundreds of staff.
We’re proud of being able to be part of something that’s helping the kids; it’s all about the children
Robert Cripps, the former chairman of Velcro Companies, and his wife Jan were each awarded a Grand Cross. Velcro Companies, a supporter of advancing education for children worldwide, gifted the construction of CCF’s high school, the Neeson Cripps Academy.
”We’re proud of being able to be part of something that’s helping the kids; it’s all about the children," said Robert Cripps.
Hollywood actress Heather Graham, a child sponsor and long-term supporter of CCF, also received an award but was unable to attend in person.
John Rice, who has held senior leadership positions within General Electric and is Chair of CCF’s Global Advisory Board, and his wife, Cammie, a senior-level executive in the technology and financial services industries and a Director of CCF’s U.S. Board, received a Grand Cross award. Mrs Rice was also unable to attend in person.
Three members of CCF’s Child Protection Unit (CPU), James McCabe, Nick Rose, and Mike Smith, received awards for their tireless work investigating crimes against children in Cambodia.
Full List of CCF Donors: Jan Cripps, Robert Cripps, Tom Cripps, Heather Graham, Joe Kemper, Sharon Kemper, Michele Lai, NiQ Lai, Cammie Rice, John Rice, Tony Robbins, John Stamen, Justine Stamen Arrillaga, Rosy Sullivan, John Sullivan, Amy Tennant.
I am very excited and so proud. Thank you to everyone, especially Scott and our management team.
It was a great honour to receive the award, especially from the King. It recognizes the work Scott and CCF have been doing to support Cambodian children. I’ve been with CCF since June 2004, and it’s a privilege to be a member of the CCF family.
This honor really means the world to me and my family. I am really thankful to CCF, my family, and my team for supporting me so far; otherwise, I couldn't get this special medal.
I started with CCF in August 2004. After teaching, I cleaned and arranged the classroom with my students. Their life stories motivated me to work hard. Years later, I still love working with children and being a part of transforming their lives through education and care.
