My first job as an intern was with Asanga, Taipei as a part of my university studies. The role was to fundraise for the Green Umbrella Food Program in July 2021. This was my first time hearing about Green Umbrella and learning about this NGO based in Cambodia.  

Asanaga is a Taiwan-based NGO that helps families in Cambodia get access to a resource for medical care and education. Due to the hardship caused by Covid-19, Asanga now also puts effort into helping adults and children in Taiwan’s rural areas. 

During the time of fundraising, we brought awareness of the struggles in Cambodia to many Taiwanese people. We managed to raise NT$422,100 (USD$15,075) to help provide Food kits for 42 families. This would enable them to have food and overcome their poverty by the end of 2021. Hopefully, at that stage, the economic situation will have improved in Cambodia and elsewhere. 

Facebook was the main platform we used to shared information and the real struggles during the pandemic in Cambodia. We shared stories from rural families and Green Umbrella students, to raise the empathy of Taiwanese people so that they would help us reach our target.

Later we shared photos of families receiving the Food Kits due to funds raised by Asanga. It was very emotional to see these photos and to share them with people in Taiwan who helped make this happen.

During the fundraising, we had an interview with Venerable Sokarth, who is the founder and Executive Director of Green Umbrella. When speaking with him we could strongly feel his passion and kindness for the poor in Cambodia. He not only helps struggling families during Covid, but he also runs Karuna Kumar School and is setting up a Health Center for the community of 2,500 families.

I have not known Green Umbrella for a long time, but I truly appreciate the organization and agree with its mission – Cambodian children and youth will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to reach their full potential and to actively participate in the development of a prosperous community and society.

By being part of the fundraising for the Food Program, and having learned to and learned from Ven. Sokrath, it is definitely a privilege to work with Green Umbrella. 

I will continue to be aware of their work through their newsletters and social media platforms. I will gladly join any trips with Asanga to Cambodia and would love to volunteer with students and get more involved with Green Umbrella.