The plaque recognizing INSEAD and JustWorld International's purchase of the school at Stung Mean Chey.
James Middleditch of INSEAD with the school children.

May 10, 2007 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – On a recent project site visit to Cambodia, JustWorld International and INSEAD representatives dedicated the newly purchased Stung Mean Chey School.

JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization founded to work as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping underprivileged children, was able to purchase the school thanks to a fundraising effort spearheaded by INSEAD, one of the world's largest and leading graduate business schools.

Located in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, Stung Mean Chey is an impoverished community built on a garbage dump. Thanks to the partnership of JustWorld International and the People Improvement Organization, the school was established to give over 200 underprivileged children access to education, culture, clean water for drinking and bathing, and basic nutrition.

Having begun the process earlier in the year of purchasing the school and the land it sits on to ensure continued access to education for the children, JustWorld International was recognized as the new official owner of Stung Mean Chey School during the dedication ceremony held April 26, 2007.

"I am so happy to see the children of Stung Mean Chey thriving with the addition of a school," said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. "Education is the only hope these children have for a brighter future. With INSEAD’s help, we have purchased the school, ensuring that they will always have access to free education."

In attendance at the dedication ceremony were Cambodian government officials, representatives and students from the People Improvement Organization, members of the local community and, representing INSEAD, Mr. James Middleditch, Associate Director for Operations and Campus Services in Singapore.

"In response to the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean in December of 2005, the INSEAD community very quickly raised funds which were used to help rebuild a school and create a scholarship scheme for 40 children in Sri Lanka," began Middleditch, explaining INSEAD's involvement. "INSEAD has since created its own charity, INSEAD Entraide, to keep the spirit of giving alive. INSEAD Entraide chose to build a partnership with JustWorld International as the purpose was to find a project that was linked to education and was very focused. Indeed, the Stung Mean Chey project in Cambodia fulfills INSEAD Entraide's objective to create value education for very poor children."

At the dedication ceremony, Middleditch encouraged the children to seize the opportunity of education, noting, "The progress of the children is excellent and it is great to see the difference that the school is making to their lives and their future."

Giving special thanks to all of the JustWorld International donors and volunteers, Middleditch added that, "education of the children is the future of our world."

In addition to purchasing the school, JustWorld International and the People Improvement Organization will continue to work together as JustWorld has pledged to fund a new school in Borey Keila, a slum in Phnom Penh, giving nearly 150 children access to quality education as well as basic nutrition.

Founded in 2002, JustWorld International raises awareness and funds in the equestrian community to support humanitarian projects that benefit impoverished communities and children in the developing world. Cooperating with local partners, JustWorld International implements sustainable, culturally sensitive education, health and vocational projects. For more information on JustWorld International and its upcoming fundraising events, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

For more information on INSEAD, please visit www.insead.edu.