Super Mauro

Mauro Bonfanti and his family always go the extra mile to support Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF).

In just one year, Mauro and his wife Marina have signed up to sponsor four children through CCF, including three siblings aged five to nine.

In January, Mauro covered 350km (217 miles) in a charity bike ride from Siem Reap to Phnom with CCF’s Miles for Smiles challenge to raise funds for CCF’s kindergarten kids.

Over the summer, Mauro, Marina, and their then 11-year-old daughter, Cecilia, travelled nearly 6,000 miles (9,600 km) to visit their three CCF-sponsored children. They also generously paid for a birthday party for unsponsored children who miss out on such celebrations and enjoyed an outing with a grandmother in the CCF Granny Program, sponsored by Mauro’s cousin.

They then decided to sponsor the little brother of the two sisters they already support.

Marina’s mum, Bridget Langan Zanetta, also generously donated USD $10,000 to CCF’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program in July this year.

Mauro and Marina exemplify true generosity as CCF super sponsors, dedicating their support to four children. Their commitment reflects their big hearts and compassion for giving back to those in need.

Their motivation is simply to “give future to children who represent our future. We need to give them a chance,” says Mauro, 58.

Marina, 52, who visited CCF for the first time in August, would love to see their support inspire their four sponsored children to succeed in school.

“We hope that knowing they are sponsored gives them hope and strength to go on, despite the challenges of their life, knowing that there is someone who cares for them.”

The Bonfanti family's home is in beautiful northwest Italy, close to a peaceful lake. It’s a world away from the slum area of Steung Meanchey, where CCF works and one of the most impoverished areas of Cambodia.

Yet Mauro and Marina - and Cecilia - feel a deep connection to Cambodia.

In 2011, the couple visited Cambodia during a tour of Southeast Asia and were struck by the country's history and people’s daily struggles—around 20% of the population live on less than $2.15 a day.

Back home, Mauro researched ways to help and came across Cambodian Children’s Fund. He was particularly taken by the story of CCF founder Scott Neeson, a high school dropout who became President of 20th Century Fox International in Hollywood but gave it all up in 2004 to move to Phnom Penh.

“His story resonated with me. I dropped out of school and left my family to start working when I was 15. After work, I studied evening classes in accountancy until 11.30pm. It was so hard. But I ended up with the highest score in the whole school. I am a self-made man like Scott. I am so grateful life has given me opportunities, and it was time to give back,” explains Mauro.

At first, the couple donated to CCF, but after their daughter was born, they decided to sponsor a child, Sopheaktra, in August 2019. During COVID, Sopheaktra and her family returned to the province but never returned to Phnom Penh, dropping out of the CCF program.

When Mauro returned to Cambodia with the CCF Miles for Smiles bike ride in January 2024, it became a profoundly impactful experience.

“When we arrived at CCF, the kindergarten children were waiting for us, and I burst into tears,” remembers Mauro.

“I extended my flight to stay longer. I did an evening walk in the community with Scott, and it was amazing. Seeing the cruel reality of how people lived and its beauty, too. We met this girl who was crying. Her father was in jail, and the mother had left her with the sister.”

That girl was Srey Chou, aged nine, and she became their sponsored child.

Three months later, Mauro returned to Cambodia and met sisters Chakriya, nine, and Rachna, six. He sent photos back to Marina and Cecilia in Italy.

“When Mauro came back, he said that these two little girls had a very challenging life; they were undernourished and so skinny, but so nice and kind, and wished we could do something to help,” says Marina.

It wasn’t long before they agreed to sponsor Chakriya and Rachna. Their little brother Kakada, aged five, became their fourth sponsored child when they met him on the family trip in August.

“We knew that Kakada was very weak. He was such a lovely little boy, so happy and joyful and so curious,” says Marina.

Cecilia was eager to connect with her new friends.

“She was very happy and so excited to meet them,” Marina describes, a smile breaking across her face. “She had already seen the photos and understood the stories Mauro had sent back. She was excited to see Srey Chou. They played together, and it was amazing to see them connect.”

Cecilia, now 12, felt an instant bond with the new additions to their family.

“I think I can learn a lot from sponsoring because I can understand how lucky I am and see another way of living. Since I am an only child, I also feel I now have sisters and a brother,” she says.

Click below to watch Cecilia talking about her CCF sponsor experience

The birthday party for unsponsored children, visiting CCF’s all-female Girls to Grannies village, and meeting up with Granny Sokly, sponsored by Mauro's cousin, were also highlights of the trip.

“What you give is nothing compared to what you get back,” says Mauro.

After visiting Cambodia as a family, their resolve to continue supporting the children and families of CCF has only strengthened.

“Their lives are so challenging, but there is hope for most of these families. CCF is doing so much for them, an amazing job. But there are still so many people coming in and living without support. You always have the feeling you are doing a lot, but there’s a lot still to do,” says Marina.

Through their CCF journey, Mauro, Marina, and Cecilia have discovered that the greatest gifts often come from showing up, caring deeply, and embracing the stories of those they help. Kindness, compassion and hope for a better tomorrow.