CIESF is a public interest incorporated foundation that provides educational support in Cambodia and other developing countries. Based on the belief that "education is the beginning of everything, and developing people is the key to building a sustainable society," it sets as its vision a future where "benefit for the earth is taken for granted."
It began when its founder saw schools where buildings and teaching tools had been donated but went unused because few teachers could make use of them. From that, it started its work with the focus on "developing people." To raise the quality of public education in Cambodia, it established an integrated kindergarten, elementary and junior high school in 2016 and runs it as a model school. In October 2025, the school was renamed JAPAN INTERNATIONAL CIESF LEADERS ACADEMY (JICLA).
Its work has five parts: running the school to deliver quality education to children; developing teachers by sending Japanese education advisors to teacher training colleges; running a graduate school where education administrators learn; developing entrepreneurs through an annual business model contest; and developing business people, with a current focus on IT talent.
Key points
- Running an integrated kindergarten, elementary and junior high school in Cambodia to deliver quality education
- Developing a wide range of people with education at the core: teachers, education officials, entrepreneurs and business people
- Many ways to take part, including donations, "buying to donate," volunteering and internships
Why this organization deserves attention
Its distinguishing feature is that it looks not only at the school as a place but at the whole system that supports education, from teachers and education administration to those who will drive industry. It describes the idea of spreading the experience gained at its model school across the country.
There is a wide choice of easy ways to take part, such as monthly donations, one-time donations, "buying to donate," and supporting through electricity contracts. Donations to a public interest incorporated foundation are noted as eligible for tax benefits.
Editor's comment
The words "Education as the beginning of everything" seem to carry a firm belief that each person's learning can change society. There is something to learn from its view that it is not enough to build schools; one must also develop the people who teach.
The official website also has activity reports and a school blog. Why not start by looking at how the children are doing?