Educating girls is the most effective way to break cycles of poverty. Lotus Outreach Australia supports girls from the most disadvantaged families, providing scholarships that transform their lives, their families, and their communities. With over 20 years of success, hundreds of our scholarship recipients are now at university or employed, and helping lift their families out of poverty.
GATE program
Preventing child labour and trafficking in Cambodia by empowering girls through education and mentorship
Rice and Bicycles
Providing rice to the families and bicycles to the girls keeps them nourished and able to get to school safely
CATALYST
Breaking poverty cycles through tertiary education, empowering Cambodian girls to embark on impactful careers
Girls’ Access to Education – GATE
The Girls Access to Education (GATE) program supports between 100 and 150 girls annually to participate in education – girls who otherwise are at risk of dropping out of school.
In the poverty stricken outskirts of Phnom Penh, girls looking for paid work risk child labour, exploitation and trafficking. Once trapped, their chance of a healthy future is lost.
Prevention is key.
The GATE Program provides girls in four target schools with comprehensive scholarships covering:
- Uniforms, books, stationery, tuition fees and pocket money to ensure girls can fully participate in school education.
- Medical support to address emergency health needs as they arise.
- Counseling and emotional support to help girls cope with trauma or personal challenges.
- Safety net of teachers and program officers working closely with families to monitor well being and provide guidance.
- Ongoing monitoring and support to ensure girls stay safe, attend school regularly, and are supported academically.
Rice and Bicycles
Lotus Outreach Australia provides rice support to the poorest families which has a profound impact:
- Improved learning: girls attend school with full stomachs, ready to focus on their classes.
- Prevents dropouts: families no longer have to send daughters to work to buy food.
- Healthier families: helps families afford protein and vegetables.
- Daily gratitude: this support is often the most appreciated by families.
- Supports overall well-being: reduces family stress which helps create a stable home environment for education and growth.
Rice support is made possible through the Buddhist Relief Fund.
The poorest girls live far from their school which is yet another barrier to accessing education. Lotus Outreach Australia provides bicycles with helmets, pumps, and repair kits, enabling:
- Safe travel to school, reducing the need to walk long distances in the dark.
- Transport for siblings: bikes are often used to help younger children get to school.
- Family support: outside school hours, bikes help families travel for work or generate income by selling goods in the village.
- Road safety focus: helmets and repair kits reduce risk on Cambodia’s often dangerous roads.
CATALYST
The CATALYST Program supports up to 40 GATE graduates annually to thrive in tertiary education and beyond, providing:
- Full scholarships covering tuition, food, residence, utilities, class fees, and daily allowance.
- Access to a variety of universities across Phnom Penh, tailored to individual aptitude and career pathways.
- Soft skills development: growth mindset, time management, public speaking and other life skills
- Counseling and mental health support
- Peer networks and social connections
- Hygiene and women’s health education
- Monitoring and support to overcome any barriers to success