Devata Giving Circle
While most of the Asian Pacific Fund work is with individual donors, in 2010 we were asked to assist the Devata Giving Circle (DGC). It is the first and currently the only giving circle in the United States founded by Cambodian American women to promote collaborative giving to support community-based organizations working to advance Cambodian women and girls issues.
Cambodian Americans face unique challenges. Cambodia has a gruesome history, one that has paralyzed survivors and the community at large. Under the Khmer Rouge regime, an estimated 1.7 million people perished as a result of executions, forced labor, malnutrition, starvation, torture, and disease. Thousands fled to refugee camps and then resettled in receiving countries, like the U.S., in the 1980s. As a result of their experience, many survivors suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and struggle with depression, suicide, extreme poverty, low academic performance, domestic violence, and alcoholism. Young Cambodian Americans are more likely to drop out of high school and/or go to jail than they are to graduate from college. However, despite these overwhelming challenges, there is a strong survival spirit of resilience and vibrancy that runs through Cambodian communities across the U.S.
The Devata Giving Circle was born out of this resilient spirit to not only survive but to build thriving families and communities.
In 2010, DGC made its inaugural grant to Banteay Srei, a project hosted by Asian Health Services in Oakland, California. Banteay Srei addresses issues of sexual exploitation in the Southeast Asian diaspora for young women between the ages of 14 to 19 years old. Through culturally appropriate interventions, mentorship, and educational activities, Banteay Srei empowers young women to make different life choices and provides them with critical skills building programs to encourage self reliance and self determination. It is one of the few organizations in the Bay Area meeting the needs of this disenfranchised and overlooked group.
The Devata Giving Circle welcomes new friends and allies to help empower the Cambodian American community by making donations. If you would like to donate to the Devata Giving Circle, please click here.
More information about the Devata Giving Circle can be found here.
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