The SIMrise Learn initiative was developed as part of the SIMagination Challenge to enable the transformative power of education. It is a legacy project in which we will work in coordination with the NGO Smiling Gecko in Cambodia.
Our project has two key pillars: (1) financially supporting the vocational training program of the school to pave the way for livelihoods and economic upliftment of the students; and (2) conducting a series of interactive workshops for the local students, such as on a day in our life, and career growth. These workshops will be in collaboration with local teachers to primarily increase students' exposure to other regions and potential career paths, supporting their career growth.
This year, building on the legacy project, we aim to fundraise primarily to support Smiling Gecko's vocational training program. We also plan to scale the project and further its impact by exploring initiatives such as scholarships for the students' future from the Smiling Gecko campus and building connections with local educational institutions for ongoing workshops.
Supporting local communities and educating children are among the most impactful ways to uplift a country and improve the lives of its people. Initiatives around these topics not only affect individual lives but also drive long-term positive change across the nation, strengthening the country's knowledge base and enabling communities to be self-sufficient. These are the ideas that we would like to carry forward and build upon, with a passionate, driven, and diverse team from SIM22.
SIMRise, initially called "SIMilili", was established in Kilifi, Kenya, in 2018 to help the Matsangoni community, in collaboration with a local NGO. In 2023, SIM20 brought it to the Kampong Chhnang region of Cambodia, where Smiling Gecko's campus is located.
Due to the pressing needs of the region and the community, and in line with the ongoing partnership with the NGO Smiling Gecko, SIMRise Learn from SIM21 continued the partnership. Like the previous team, we also believe consistent, recurring efforts would lead to a more profound, more sustainable impact in the exact location, as they improve engagement and build on the meaningful work of previous SIMmies.
Hence, building on the work of predecessors, we would like to focus on uplifting people who have limited access to the resources they need to realize their full potential. Thanks to the work of last year's SIMrise team, we will be able to make progress on these goals through a continued strong partnership with the NGO Smiling Gecko in Cambodia, supporting the construction of infrastructure for their vocational program and offering workshops on various skills to the children there.
| Ivan Kolev | Project Operations |
Rebecca Rady | Media & Marketing |
| Balin Berces | Event Planner |
| Karla Sauter | Partnerships |
| Lauris Leimanis | Fundraising |
Subiksha Arunkumar | Project Coordination |