Chikara Cambodia was founded by Carina van Silfhout and Giel Hagelaar in 2019. While visiting Cambodia, they were moved by the country and the engaged young population. At the same time, they were shocked by the amount of plastic waste on the streets and in nature. This led them to establish a foundation in the Netherlands that would help both the young people and the environment in Cambodia.
Our founders
“In my professional life as a teacher, trainer and coach, and as a founder and board member of Chikara Cambodia, I draw inspiration from a quote by Anne Frank: ‘How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.’ Why would you wait if you can help make the world a better place now?
When growing up in India, Curaçao and the Netherlands, I learned that you can achieve a lot with small actions. As long as what you do is aligned with the culture, the local situation, and the needs of the people. This is exactly what we do with Chikara Cambodia: supporting underprivileged youth in fulfilling their dreams through scholarships, where they share their knowledge and experience within the communities, bringing awareness and helping to build Cambodia in a sustainable way.”
“My guiding three principles in life is: Think, Dare, Do. I have applied this in every phase of my life, including in my role as founder and board member of Chikara Cambodia. When I first visited Cambodia, I was struck by the amount of plastic waste everywhere — and by the fact that no one seemed concerned about it. Until I realized this was a matter of awareness: if you don’t know the environmental impact of plastic waste, why would you take action against it?
Carina and I began to Think: about environmental education, opportunities for Cambodian youth, plastic recycling, and strengthening local communities. We reflected on scholarships, environmental projects, forms of collaboration, and fundraising. Daring has never been an issue— it’s in both of our blood. The next step was obvious: founding an organization and actually Doing what we had envisioned. But what do the three principles mean without Sharing — and being Grateful for it? We share, and we are grateful to be able and allowed to do this work. The five 5 principles of Chikara Cambodia.”
Chikara’s first steps
Carina and Giel started putting all their energy into Chikara Cambodia in 2019. They chose the first seven Cambodian young people, who started their studies with a grant at the end of 2019. They also found volunteers and partners in Cambodia to help the young people with their studies. While doing this, they created a Board in the Netherlands, an Advisory Board and a team of volunteers that would help them with their activities.
Working together on environmental projects
In the years that followed, more young people received grants and the idea of ‘Soap in return for plastic waste’ was born. The young people gave environmental workshops at schools, which led to more and more plastic waste being collected and recycled. Interns from the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences went to Cambodia and students from the Erasmus Rotterdam School of Management carried out useful research. The network of partners expanded, allowing Chikara Cambodia to make a bigger impact.
Our own building in Siem Reap
In 2024, Chikara Cambodia opened the doors of its own premises in Cambodia: the Chikara Innovation Centre for a cleaner world. This sustainable building gives Chikara young people and board members a place to work and meet. Moreover, they can welcome people from the surrounding communities there to share knowledge and innovations. The building was also a main attraction at Chikara Cambodia’s five year anniversary celebration in November 2024. An anniversary that was undoubtedly the start of many new developments in the future.
Our team
Chikara Cambodia is a non-profit foundation. Our Board has three members who work voluntarily. Their backgrounds in education, management and finance make them perfectly qualified for the foundation’s Board work.
Chikara Cambodia’s Advisory Board advises the Board on aspects such as the activities of the foundation, the selection of students, and future developments. The members are knowledgeable about sustainability, development work, management and education.
Chikara Cambodia’s volunteers work both in Cambodia and in the Netherlands. They draw on their expertise to help the Board with all sorts of practical activities.
To increase our impact, partnerships are essential for Chikara Cambodia. Our partners are organisations in both the Netherlands and Cambodia, all of whom share the same goal: a cleaner Cambodia and a cleaner world.
Do you want to do something for young people and the environment in Cambodia? Join us as a volunteer and help us with your knowledge or skills. Or if you are an organisation, we are open to discussing a possible collaboration or partnership with you. A financial donation is welcome too!
