Chicago Global Citizens Travels to Cambodia
Capstone of the CGC Inaugural Year
Neil Bansal, '06
Posted: 4/13/06
Chicago Business Online
As my Thai Airways flight descended into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, it became quite clear that this wasn't your ordinary Spring Break destination. From my window seat, there were no white sand beaches or palm trees within sight. In fact, I couldn't see much of anything, except barren desert! Where am I? More importantly, where are the Cambodians? Upon arriving at the airport, I was relieved to finally be in Cambodia - after almost 20 hours of flying and two connections.
Cambodia was the capstone of the inaugural year for Chicago Global Citizens (CGC), a new student group founded by Wes Barnes, Justin Palfreyman, Monica Nawal, and me in 2005. CGC's purpose is to increase alumni and student awareness of international development needs, and to bring the GSB community together through projects to take action on these important issues. We chose Cambodia - a country whose educational and economic infrastructure has been decimated by a tumultuous history of violence and genocide. Through a partnership with nonprofit Room to Read, we agreed to fundraise $30,000 for five libraries, a computer lab, and a Khmer language book. Using our B-school acumen, we also decided to provide consulting-like support to a microfinance institution in the country.
We were in Cambodia to visit our GSB-funded sites, to present our findings to the microfinance institution, to do some sightseeing, and of course to relax and have fun - this was Spring Break after all! Joining Wes, Justin, Monica, and me were CGC members Tommy Tjiptadjada, Eric Choe (and wife Jihee), Faisal Khan (and wife Saeeda), and recent alumnus Cheryl Sulima. We were also fortunate to have Dean Kole accompany us for the first two days, and to our relief she agreed to our "what happens in Cambodia stays in Cambodia" pact, so it's no use trying to pry her for gossip at the next coffee hour (we hope!).
When I travel to a foreign land, my first objectives are to learn how to say "hello" and to fill up my wallet with the local currency. The former wasn't difficult, as we were greeted immediately off the plane with "suor sdei" by the friendly Cambodians. The latter proved to be a bit trickier, as the ATM in the airport gave U.S. dollars! We found out quickly that dollars are much preferred to the Cambodian currency called Reals, aptly named since they are Real Worthless. You know a currency is going to be a pain when there are 10,000 dollar denominations, although you do feel like you have some real bling by just exchanging a $20 bill.
In our first afternoon there, members of our "consulting team" met with the top managers of the microfinance institution, or "MFI". Our team spent most of the meeting discussing our research - specifically, how a customer segmentation strategy could be tailored to the needs of microfinance, an industry traditionally managed as a non-profit. In a country like Cambodia, MFI "micro-loans" of as little as $300 can enable the poor to set up a business that will support their families and provide needed funds for their children's schooling. Like most consulting-like projects, we raised many business questions for the MFI. Judging by their reaction, we also introduced a new way of thinking about their business. After two quarters of hard work, it was incredibly gratifying to know that our team was able to contribute to the important mission of this MFI.
The second day of our trip brought even greater excitement. We visited the local office for Room to Read, a US-based NGO with which we had collaborated for two quarters to help raise funds for school books. They showed us the books that people had donated from across the world, as well as the one we had published, "The Banana-Stem Horse" (we highly recommend it!). We were confident the kids would enjoy that more than some of the other books we saw there, such as "Brain Surgery For Beginners." Sports fans will be happy to know that there were plenty of NBA basketball books, since no kid's education would be complete without knowing about Shaq's childhood.
From the Room to Read offices, we embarked on a short drive to a school where, with the generosity of the GSB and through our fundraising efforts, we had established a computer lab. It was the moment we had all been anticipating, but when we arrived we couldn't have prepared for what came next. Hundreds of kids were lined up outside the school waiting for our arrival. They cheered us as we entered, and for the first several minutes, we all just stood outside the entrance stunned at the reception. Kids came out and put flower garlands around our necks. We spent much of the next few hours talking to the teachers and students. It seemed that everyone had a story to share. I had a conversation I'll never forget with a girl named Jinae - who embodied so much of the hope and spirit of the Cambodian children. Jinae spoke about how she wanted to be a doctor and support her family, who is so poor that they live hundreds of miles away while she goes to school everyday and sleeps on the floor of her friend's place. Jinae wants to attend a higher level university, but was concerned she couldn't afford it. Supporting someone like Jinae would only cost $250/year, a pittance considering I paid more for a single coursepack this quarter! There were of course many lighter moments and interactions. Some of the girls shyly asked if we were married, and a few even wanted to get my phone number (which is when I knew I wasn't in the United States!).
We concluded our visit to the school by touring the facilities, especially our computer lab that was filled with children typing papers. It was a good start to familiarize the kids with computers so they can develop typing skills that will make them much more valuable in the workforce and hopefully get them more excited about education and learning. We made a note to return someday and fund for Internet access, which is currently very expensive to provide. Perhaps at some point they'll be writing emails, reading news online, and of course catching up on all the latest Britney Spears gossip.
With the experience at the school forever etched in our minds, we then headed for a meeting with the new U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Joseph Mussomeli, at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. It was a lively and candid discussion on the development issues that Cambodia faces. Ambassador Mussomeli was optimistic of the advances the country has made since the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed 2.2 million Cambodians, almost one-third of the population. He spoke of the difficulties in getting the U.S. administration's attention given their focus on Iraq, but pointed out that Cambodia has been one of our most helpful allies in providing intelligence.
After meeting with the Ambassador, the rest of the trip took a markedly more touristy and relaxed feel. We took a five hour van ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, driving through the countryside while I probably annoyed the group by blasting Beyonce and Kanye West through my iPod speakers! It just seemed like the right way to unwind after some heavy conversations and depressing tours of the Killing Fields where the Khmer Rouge carried out the genocide that Ambassador Mussomeli mentioned.
The next morning in Siem Reap we awoke at the crack of dawn to view the sunrise over the impressive temples of Angkor Wat. We spent the morning touring the temples and dodging hordes of Cambodian children trying to sell us everything from guide books to t-shirts. The group noted that I had the weakest resolve and amassed the largest Cambodian t-shirt collection at the GSB. I understood why Angelina Jolie had adopted a Cambodian kid, and I succumbed to all their tactics, such as "Please buy this for your girlfriend," which, when I pointed out I didn't have one, was followed up with "Then buy it for your wife!"
We faded quickly in the oppressive heat and did some of our touring the real lazy way - from inside our air conditioned van! The rest of our time in Siem Reap was filled with shopping, massages, and a fun last night out in which unfortunately too many photos were taken (doing "YMCA" at karaoke seemed like a good idea at the time). It was a real Spring Break finish to a mentally and physically exhilarating adventure through a wonderful country. We left Cambodia with many warm memories and the satisfaction that CGC in only its first year of existence has made a positive impact in the developing world.
Cambodia was the capstone of the inaugural year for Chicago Global Citizens (CGC), a new student group founded by Wes Barnes, Justin Palfreyman, Monica Nawal, and me in 2005. CGC's purpose is to increase alumni and student awareness of international development needs, and to bring the GSB community together through projects to take action on these important issues. We chose Cambodia - a country whose educational and economic infrastructure has been decimated by a tumultuous history of violence and genocide. Through a partnership with nonprofit Room to Read, we agreed to fundraise $30,000 for five libraries, a computer lab, and a Khmer language book. Using our B-school acumen, we also decided to provide consulting-like support to a microfinance institution in the country.
We were in Cambodia to visit our GSB-funded sites, to present our findings to the microfinance institution, to do some sightseeing, and of course to relax and have fun - this was Spring Break after all! Joining Wes, Justin, Monica, and me were CGC members Tommy Tjiptadjada, Eric Choe (and wife Jihee), Faisal Khan (and wife Saeeda), and recent alumnus Cheryl Sulima. We were also fortunate to have Dean Kole accompany us for the first two days, and to our relief she agreed to our "what happens in Cambodia stays in Cambodia" pact, so it's no use trying to pry her for gossip at the next coffee hour (we hope!).
When I travel to a foreign land, my first objectives are to learn how to say "hello" and to fill up my wallet with the local currency. The former wasn't difficult, as we were greeted immediately off the plane with "suor sdei" by the friendly Cambodians. The latter proved to be a bit trickier, as the ATM in the airport gave U.S. dollars! We found out quickly that dollars are much preferred to the Cambodian currency called Reals, aptly named since they are Real Worthless. You know a currency is going to be a pain when there are 10,000 dollar denominations, although you do feel like you have some real bling by just exchanging a $20 bill.
In our first afternoon there, members of our "consulting team" met with the top managers of the microfinance institution, or "MFI". Our team spent most of the meeting discussing our research - specifically, how a customer segmentation strategy could be tailored to the needs of microfinance, an industry traditionally managed as a non-profit. In a country like Cambodia, MFI "micro-loans" of as little as $300 can enable the poor to set up a business that will support their families and provide needed funds for their children's schooling. Like most consulting-like projects, we raised many business questions for the MFI. Judging by their reaction, we also introduced a new way of thinking about their business. After two quarters of hard work, it was incredibly gratifying to know that our team was able to contribute to the important mission of this MFI.
The second day of our trip brought even greater excitement. We visited the local office for Room to Read, a US-based NGO with which we had collaborated for two quarters to help raise funds for school books. They showed us the books that people had donated from across the world, as well as the one we had published, "The Banana-Stem Horse" (we highly recommend it!). We were confident the kids would enjoy that more than some of the other books we saw there, such as "Brain Surgery For Beginners." Sports fans will be happy to know that there were plenty of NBA basketball books, since no kid's education would be complete without knowing about Shaq's childhood.
From the Room to Read offices, we embarked on a short drive to a school where, with the generosity of the GSB and through our fundraising efforts, we had established a computer lab. It was the moment we had all been anticipating, but when we arrived we couldn't have prepared for what came next. Hundreds of kids were lined up outside the school waiting for our arrival. They cheered us as we entered, and for the first several minutes, we all just stood outside the entrance stunned at the reception. Kids came out and put flower garlands around our necks. We spent much of the next few hours talking to the teachers and students. It seemed that everyone had a story to share. I had a conversation I'll never forget with a girl named Jinae - who embodied so much of the hope and spirit of the Cambodian children. Jinae spoke about how she wanted to be a doctor and support her family, who is so poor that they live hundreds of miles away while she goes to school everyday and sleeps on the floor of her friend's place. Jinae wants to attend a higher level university, but was concerned she couldn't afford it. Supporting someone like Jinae would only cost $250/year, a pittance considering I paid more for a single coursepack this quarter! There were of course many lighter moments and interactions. Some of the girls shyly asked if we were married, and a few even wanted to get my phone number (which is when I knew I wasn't in the United States!).
We concluded our visit to the school by touring the facilities, especially our computer lab that was filled with children typing papers. It was a good start to familiarize the kids with computers so they can develop typing skills that will make them much more valuable in the workforce and hopefully get them more excited about education and learning. We made a note to return someday and fund for Internet access, which is currently very expensive to provide. Perhaps at some point they'll be writing emails, reading news online, and of course catching up on all the latest Britney Spears gossip.
With the experience at the school forever etched in our minds, we then headed for a meeting with the new U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Joseph Mussomeli, at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. It was a lively and candid discussion on the development issues that Cambodia faces. Ambassador Mussomeli was optimistic of the advances the country has made since the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed 2.2 million Cambodians, almost one-third of the population. He spoke of the difficulties in getting the U.S. administration's attention given their focus on Iraq, but pointed out that Cambodia has been one of our most helpful allies in providing intelligence.
After meeting with the Ambassador, the rest of the trip took a markedly more touristy and relaxed feel. We took a five hour van ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, driving through the countryside while I probably annoyed the group by blasting Beyonce and Kanye West through my iPod speakers! It just seemed like the right way to unwind after some heavy conversations and depressing tours of the Killing Fields where the Khmer Rouge carried out the genocide that Ambassador Mussomeli mentioned.
The next morning in Siem Reap we awoke at the crack of dawn to view the sunrise over the impressive temples of Angkor Wat. We spent the morning touring the temples and dodging hordes of Cambodian children trying to sell us everything from guide books to t-shirts. The group noted that I had the weakest resolve and amassed the largest Cambodian t-shirt collection at the GSB. I understood why Angelina Jolie had adopted a Cambodian kid, and I succumbed to all their tactics, such as "Please buy this for your girlfriend," which, when I pointed out I didn't have one, was followed up with "Then buy it for your wife!"
We faded quickly in the oppressive heat and did some of our touring the real lazy way - from inside our air conditioned van! The rest of our time in Siem Reap was filled with shopping, massages, and a fun last night out in which unfortunately too many photos were taken (doing "YMCA" at karaoke seemed like a good idea at the time). It was a real Spring Break finish to a mentally and physically exhilarating adventure through a wonderful country. We left Cambodia with many warm memories and the satisfaction that CGC in only its first year of existence has made a positive impact in the developing world.
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