EXO Travel proud Godparent in Southeast Asia
As part of responsible business practices and in line with Exo’s objective to give back to the region and its people, EXO Travel Paris agreed to sponsor 10 kids through the godparent program of Enfants du Mekong (EDM). From April 1st 2011 onwards EXO Travel Paris sponsors 2 kids each in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to support them in their pursue of education.
The sponsorship allows the kids to continue their education and gives them a perspective for their future. The kids come mainly from a poorer background; most of them live in rural areas, their families engaged in subsistence farming which, however, is not sufficient to cover all necessary expenses. Exo supports EDM in their sponsorship program because of their experience here in Asia and their educational approach as a first step into a better life.
Established in 1958 EDM is one of the longest standing NGOs in Southeast Asia providing sponsorship to more than 22.000 kids in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. The financial support allows the kids to continue attending school and complete at least basic education.
Ambitious students have also received support during their university studies. One of the success stories recounts of a Cambodian boy from a relatively poor background, leaving university as highly wanted employee for companies in France. Turning down offers of an international career, he decided to return to his home country Cambodia to set up his own charitable organization to contribute to a positive development.
Apart from the scholarship programs, EDM also initiates micro-projects such as construction of schooling or housing facilities, providing cultivable land and cattle or providing bicycles for the kids to get to school. We are happy that Exo Paris has joined EDM’s visionary and ambitious program and wish the 10 “Exo kids” all the best for their studies.
