SCOTT NEESONSCOTTISH- 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 20TH CENTURY FOX INTERNATIONAL

EVENTUALLY BECAME PRESIDENT

SAW TO THE PRODUCTION OF MOVIES LIKE TITANICINDEPENDENCE DAYX-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 CAREELEMENTARY STUDENTS - RESIDENTIAL AND SATELLITE

SCHOOLSTEENS - VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.

FAMILIES RECEIVE FREE HEALTH CARE CLEAN DRINKING WATER HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED RICE MICROLENDING OPPORTUNITIES.

COMMUNITY CENTER

DRIVES/INSPIRATIONSSCOTT’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

MORE TRANSFORMATION

SCOTT’S STORY

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODH-gOBcxJw

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

• www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/about-scott-neeson.html

• http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/honour-roll/?view=fullView&recipientID=984

• http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2012/0810/Scott-Neeson-left-Hollywood-to-save-children-rooting-in-Cambodia-s-garbage-dumps

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODH-gOBcxJw

• www.angelrockproject.com/arp/news/articles/To_Cambodia_With_Love.pdf