THE FLAME MODEL WORKS

In June I attended the graduation ceremony for the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Prime Minister Hun Sen delivered the keynote speech so security was tight -the military and police presence blatantly obvious. My water bottle was emptied and my bag was x-rayed as I entered the huge facility. This was a major national level deal! I excitedly took my seat among the throngs.

Of the over 3600 graduates, two were from the Flame Leadership Academy:  Esther So (estherso_photographer on instagram) our Flame Photographer graduated with a sociology degree. You'll be hearing a lot more about Esther next week as she is heading to Australia and New Zealand to exhibit her photography... watch this space!

The other student was Longdy Chhap, graduating with his psychology degree. The crowds were so large that there were multiple mounted television screens around the hall so that everyone could see the President hand out the degrees...  except only 10 graduates were chosen to receive their degree on the stage -shake with the right,  receive with the left! 

Longdy was one of the ten. Maths isn't my strong suit but even I could tell that this is a huge achievement, and a testament to Longdy's hard work and commitment. Longdy has been accepted into the Masters of Clinical Psychology program and will start that next year. In the meantime he's working and continues to come to the Flame Leadership Academy and helps with translation and counselling of our young leaders.

Thank you for your support to put these young people through university and to help the families of the kids in the poorest urban communities of Phnom Penh. 

We need your help to get more kids into school, and to give them the chance of being university graduates like Esther and Longdy. Please give discerningly and  generously to something that really does work.