This December, we’re giving a select group of students from Years 10 and 11 the chance to join us on a three week tour of Cambodia. It’s called the Ambassador Challenge, and it’s brought to you in collaboration with our Cambodian partner organisation, KAPE.
The Challenge is about finding future leaders for us to share our knowledge and experience with. The eight students selected for the Ambassador Challenge will have the chance to:
• Learn about issues that face the developing world
• Learn about Cambodian society, history and culture
• Learn how to successfully organise and run fundraisers and appeals
• Learn how to approach community and business organisations for support
• Learn what it means to advocate for change
• Develop their leadership potential
• Learn how to plan for and finance an overseas trip of some complexity
The Ambassador Challenge Tour
The Ambassador Challenge Tour is the centrepiece of the Challenge, and will run from Friday 30 November until Saturday 22 December, 2012. Student Ambassadors will fly to Melbourne for a three-day team-building course. They will then depart for Cambodia for a three week educational tour, accompanied by the Ambassador Challenge team.
At the end of the Challenge, Ambassadors will have had a unique experience. An experience that readies them to take an active role in working towards end of global poverty, and ensuring everyone has access to quality education.
The trip will also give students an extraordinary perspective on their own lives in Australia, and a truly global outlook on life.
Why Cambodia?
Cambodia is slowly recovering from the disastrous rule of the Khmer Rouge regime that shocked the world, and decimated the lives of countless Cambodians from 1975 to 1979. The rule of the Khmer Rouge was a monumental setback for the Cambodian education system, undoing the strides made in literacy and education that accompanied their transition to independence from colonial rule in the early 20th century. In particular, the closing of schools and the persecution and murder of teachers and public intellectuals dealt a massive blow to the education system: by 1979, it is estimated that only 5000 of the approximately 20 000 teachers that lived in Cambodia prior to the Khmer Rouge remained alive in Cambodia. As a result, an entire generation of Cambodians grew up with little or no access to education, and very low levels of literacy.
Through the Ambassador Challenge, eight students will be given the opportunity to help improve education for children in Cambodia, and increase their chances of a brighter future. If you’d like to find out more, you can read about Cambodia here.
The Ambassador Challenge is a serious commitment to Oaktree. The program is structured around the busy schedules of students, and will be delivered in short bursts during low schoolwork periods. The tour will begin before the conclusion of school terms, and students will be assisted in managing this.
For more detailed information about the S4S Ambassador Challenge, please download the information pack.
Application Process
Who can apply?
The Ambassador Challenge is open to students involved in Oaktree programs across Australia who will complete Years 10 or 11 in 2012.
Application Criteria
We are searching for students who can demonstrate leadership potential, with a proven commitment to the Schools 4 Schools program and its goal of ‘providing life changing educational opportunities for young people in developing communities.’
Application dates
Applications open on: Monday June 11th 2012
Applications will close on: Friday 27th July 2012
Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by phone during the week of the 30th of July 2012.
How to Apply
Applicants should visit theoaktree.org/AmbassadorApplication and fill in the online application form.
Contact Details
For all questions regarding the program please contact:
Tom Nice
National Co-Director of Schools 4 Schools
Ph: 0419 839 392
E: t.nice@theoaktree.org
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