Published on: 13 September 2016


Scott Neeson, Hollywood executive turned philanthropist, was at Christ Church last week, speaking to students about his Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF).

Twelve years ago Scott was flying high in Hollywood. President of Sony Pictures with a one million a year salary, Porsche, BMW, yacht, private jet and a home in the Hollywood Hills.

After a five-week vacation through Asia in 2003, his life changed dramatically. Scott visited the poorest area of Phnom Penh, where he found women and children rummaging through burning garbage dumps for scraps they could sell for money.

“It shattered my world, walking from the best arts if LA to the apocalypse,” he said.

“It was incredibly hot and the stench was overwhelming.”

“Children as young as three with no food, no clothes and nowhere warm to stay.”

The following year, Scott founded CCF, an organisation which provides life-changing education, nourishment and healing to vulnerable children from some of Cambodia’s most destitute communities.

Christ Church has a strong relationship with the Cambodian Children’s Fund. Since 2013, the Service in Action program has included a trip to Cambodia where the boys have assisted with teaching, professional development and other activities.

The School also hosts various fundraising activities for CCF, including this year’s Preparatory School lapathon which raised $30 000.00.