Nhuong Son: Why This Wired Cambodian Fundraiser Cares About Cambodian Children

From Nhung Son's Facebook Photos
   
Two weeks ago, Blogger Michele Martin, set up an America's Giving Challenge widget for the Sharing Foundation to support the project over at Global Giving.  Other bloggers have also signed up to participate and many have .. thanks so much. 

But here's what has surprised me, Nhuong Son, a Cambodian American attending college in New Jersey.  He contacted me through Facebook to let me know he wanted to help!   Here's the post he wrote:

My name is Nhuong Son and I am doing an online fund raiser through the America Giving Challenge. The winner of this challenge will receive $50,000 to help their charity. This is my story in why I hold this cause so dear to my heart.

Since I was born and bred in Cambodia I understand how difficult it is to obtain an education when you have no money and more importantly when food and clothing are scarce in itself. For most children in Cambodia this is a story that is all too common. Most children are illiterate and work on the family farm. As the country industrializes and leaves behind the agrarian lifestyle, these children grow up to be migrant workers with nowhere to go. Unlike those children, I was lucky enough to come to America and receive an education.

My years at The Westtown School and Drew University has reemphasized the importance of education. Through my research I have found that education is the KEY to success and a livelihood. Now I understand why my parents constantly berated me when they did not see me doing homework or reading. Education can pull people out of poverty because it has helped me and my family. $40 out of your pocket can fund English classes for a Cambodian child for an entire YEAR! Just think about that…that’s you and three friends forgoing eating out for ONE night.

I have never met Nhuong and I'm trying to find out how he heard about our cause and what motivated him to help us.   He also set up a group on Facebook and he is now asking his over 300 friends to donate through the Global Giving fundraising page.

He sent me a message last night with this request:

I'm new at this blogging thing. Do you have an word of wisdom for me? I'm planning to write about the economy in Asia and also other issues. I am actually going to study in Nanjing University in China for the spring semester, so i'll be blogging about my experience there too!

I'll start off the advice with try to get into the habit of writing regularly.  Write about what interests you.  Link to other bloggers.  Leave comments and connect. 

I'm hoping these Cambodian blogger colleagues will provide some words of wisdom too:

• trajoke
• kalyankeo
• deedeedoll
• Mean Lux
• khmerak
• Tharum

And, of course, I'm hoping the wise and wonderful readers of this blog who are bloggers will also add their words of wisdom too.

And of course ...

• Donate $10 or more to the Sharing Foundation through Global Giving Fundraiser set up by Blogger Michele Martin of the Bamboo project!
• If we are four of the top causes to get the most unique donors, we'll win $50,000 for the Sharing Foundation as part of America's Giving Challenge
• If you are a blogger and want to participate in this blogger's campaign, you can sign up here.

Comments

[Nhuong Son]

Hey Beth,

Thank you so much again for writing about me on your blog. I just found this great opportunity to help my fellow Cambodian so I decided to lend a helping hand. It is a great opportunity for me and other Cambodian to join in and help this great cause. With hard work we can win the America's Giving Challenge.

And thank you for the advice on blogging. I will keep chucking at it!

Nhuong

[Beth Kanter]

Nhuoung,

Thank you for helping to fundraise!

Bob wrote about you in his blog too! Go say hello!

I think you write a post that tells the story about how you got to America.

http://bobuva.blogspot.com/2007/12/cambodian-childrens-education-thank-you.html

[kingkong]

Hi, How are you? I have met you at cloger summit.
Now I can create blog . Thank you for your share exp.
I really like you.
Because you help me to share my idea to the world.

[kingkong]

Hi, How are you? I have met you at cloger summit.
Now I can create blog . Thank you for your share exp.
I really like you.
Because you help me to share my idea to the world.