On 15th December 2012 Youth Star Cambodia hosted the seventh fundraising gala. The splendid
night was named ‘Pearl Dragon’ to represent the year of the Water Dragon.

Water calms the fearless dragon and brings the dragon patience and sensitivity and more perceptiveness to the ideas of others. We found this to be symbolic of the personal growth and empowerment that are among the rewards of Youth Star volunteer service to rural communities.

The night was full of music and dance performances and was attended by 480 guests including current and former volunteers, the Youth Star Board of Directors, Government officials, foreign dignitaries, civic leaders; scholars and various professionals from multinational corporations and national and international organisations.

Mr. LUY Tech Chheng, a local expert in the Ministry of Health’s Gender and Indigenous Population for Regional Communicable Disease Control Project said his experience as a former Youth Star volunteer was a valuable stepping-stone for his present role. He said: “I realise that volunteer service changed me as well. It gave me courage and confidence, as well as skills to work with diverse groups of people to find local solutions, to mobilise local resources, as well as skills in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting”

Mr. Kieng Sengky, the chief of commune council, Kampong Thom province; a community Youth Star served said “Even the volunteer leaves, we have seen his legacy such as undisciplined youth reduced, dropped out children return back to school especially a young girl who dropped out has completed her secondary school and had become a kindergarten teacher. This shows that the volunteer has helped to build human resources for the community”

The night was a roaring success and the attendance of such an array of people was indicative of the continued support received by Youth Star and the value placed on volunteerism and Youth Star’s young people ability to affect positive, lasting social change.

Youth Star Cambodia would like to give a special thanks to our Gala Committee Members, the table sponsors, lucky draw sponsors and all our corporate sponsors in particular our gold sponsor Manulife and our silver sponsors AusAID, Eva Airways Corporation, InterContinental Hotel, Thai-Pore Enterprise Pte. Ltd and The Fishing Rods of Singapore whose assistance made this inspiring event a huge success.

Published on December 17, 2012