SCOTT NEESON SCOTTISH- AUSTRALIAN HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE FOUNDER OF CAMBODIA CHILDREN’S FUND (CCF) By Beryl Neequaye

BACKGROUND/EARLY LIFE  BORN IN EDINBURGH SCOTLAND- MARCH 23, 1959  AT 5 YEARS MOVED TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

CAREER  WORKED AT 20 TH CENTURY FOX INTERNATIONAL  EVENTUALLY BECAME PRESIDENT  SAW TO THE PRODUCTION OF MOVIES LIKE  TITANIC  INDEPENDENCE DAY  X-MEN  26 YEARS CAREER IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY

SOCIAL PROBLEM  TRIP TO CAMBODIA IN 2003  ORIGINALLY VISITING PHNOM PENH  VISITED STEUNG MEANCHEY (PHNOM PENH’S NOTORIOUS GARBAGE DUMP)  TOXIC LANDFILL WITH MANY CHILDREN SCAVENGERS  TOXIC DUMP SITE - EIGHT SOCCER FIELDS, AND MORE THAN 100 FEET DEEP  COMPASSIONATE AND UNWILLING TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM

INNOVATION STRATEGIES  IN JULY 2004, RESIGNED FROM HIS JOB  SOLD MANSION AND OTHER ASSETS.  IN DECEMBER, MOVED INTO A SMALL APARTMENT WITH FOUR OTHER MEN IN PHNOM PENH.  STARTED THE CAMBODIAN CHILDREN’S FUND WITH 45 CHILDREN AND 7 STAFF

APPROACH/OPERATIONS  FOCUSED ON SOLVING PROBLEM HOLISTICALLY  “AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM” - SERVES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.  TODDLERS- DAY CARE  ELEMENTARY STUDENTS - RESIDENTIAL AND SATELLITE SCHOOLS  TEENS - VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.  FAMILIES  RECEIVE FREE HEALTH CARE  CLEAN DRINKING WATER  HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED RICE  MICROLENDING OPPORTUNITIES.  COMMUNITY CENTER

DRIVES/INSPIRATIONS  SCOTT’S GOAL: “TO TRANSFORM CHILDREN INTO COMMUNITY LEADERS—THE FUTURE TEACHERS, POLITICIANS, ARTISTS, AND ORGANIC FARMERS WHO WILL REBUILD AND REVITALIZE CAMBODIA.”  BELIEVES EVERYONE HAS INERT ABILITIES  GREATEST JOY: “MOMENT WHEN PREVIOUSLY NEGLECTED OR ABUSED CHILD BEGINS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CARE GIVEN IS UNCONDITIONAL AND LIFELONG.”  PASSIONATE : INCORPORATING PHOTOGRAPHY

QUALITIES  INNOVATIVE  VISIONARY  COLLABORATIVE  INSPIRED  PERSISTANT

ACCOMPLISHMENT TRARNSFORMED TO

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SCOTT’S STORY

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCOTT NEESON  I like Scott’s approach to solving this social problem because he is handling the problem from the roots. The parents are pushing their children to the streets, and the dump site to scavenge. So he is providing avenues for parents to make money, so they would allow their children to go school.  Also he is collaborating with local partners, and using local teachers in the schools and community centers.  Sustainability is at the heart of all his different projects  Passionate about the welfare and wellbeing of everyone in the community  Very hopeful in a hopeless situation (believes in everyone)

SOURCES roll/?view=fullView&recipientID=984 roll/?view=fullView&recipientID=984 Neeson-left-Hollywood-to-save-children-rooting-in-Cambodia-s-garbage-dumps Neeson-left-Hollywood-to-save-children-rooting-in-Cambodia-s-garbage-dumps