Despite the agricultural potential and beauties of Cambodia, the country’s people face hardships. Almost 18% of the population lived in extreme poverty in Cambodia in the year 2019. Furthermore, out of the total population, 45% are living moderately to severely food insecure.  Organizations are taking action to improve living conditions for Cambodia’s most impoverished.

The Maddox Jolie-Pitt (MJP) Foundation

The Maddox Jolie-Pitt (MJP) Foundation is an organization founded by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in 2003 that provides support to communities living in extreme poverty in Cambodia to improve living conditions and works to protect the environment. The foundation is named after Jolie’s first adopted son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, whom she adopted from Cambodia in 2002. Angelina Jolie was in Cambodia filming the movie Tomb Raider when she had the idea for the foundation after being inspired by the resilience of the country’s people. The organization’s team consists of Cambodian people, most of whom live in the local villages and have an understanding of the issues of extreme poverty in Cambodia plaguing communities. The foundation has divided its poverty alleviation goal into six main focal areas.

Conservation

In Cambodia, deforestation is a pressing issue. The MJP Foundation identifies lack of resources as the main reason that illegal logging and poaching continues- and the project aims to educate and encourage locals to preserve the natural habitat. The foundation’s website highlights that “In partnership with the Battambang Forestry Administration and local authorities, MJP has established 11 Community Forestry schemes in 4 communes in Samlout District.” This includes four community-run nurseries. In 2017, the foundation planted “more than 10,000 new trees using the seedlings grown in the community nurseries,” the website says.

Agriculture

The foundation’s work also centers on strengthening agriculture in Cambodia. Due to the level of extreme poverty in Cambodia, access to nutritious food is an issue. The MJP Foundation provides practical training for farmers in order to ensure that they are able to make the best use of their land and livestock. This is extremely important due to the fact that 80% of the entire Cambodian population works in agriculture. By increasing yields and productivity, the MJP Foundation helps people to raise their incomes and feed their families.

Education

A huge focus of the MJP project is providing access to trained educators, facilities, and libraries. Gradually, the literacy rate in Cambodia has improved. According to the World Bank, the adult literacy rate (15 and older) rose from 67% in 1998 to 81% in 2015 and then 84% in 2022.

The foundation works with 82 Cambodian school teachers and 10 schools in hopes of substantial improvement. The project provides books for the community and has organized literacy classes and after-school programs to support literacy in Cambodia. It has also provided support for local school sports teams including uniforms and training for coaches. The project also created the Shiloh scholarship, which provides support for children in extreme need.

Women’s Empowerment

The MJP works to increase female involvement in sports, health care and education. Out of 16 MJP health care workers, seven are female, along with 38 females out of 85 educators. MJP founded the Women’s Prosperity Center. The purpose of the center is to organize women-led empowerment activities. The MJP gender coordinator works with more than 30 women in surrounding villages to promote ideas about women’s rights.

Economic Growth

MJP supports economic growth by providing financial assistance to fight against extreme poverty in Cambodia. The organization aims to encourage locals to manage their finances and learn to save.

Health

The MJP health project works to provide sanitation in schools and works with mothers and children on healthy habits, advice, and support. MJP runs two health care clinics out of Cambodia that assist an average of 11,000 people yearly. As part of their approach, the MJP Foundation built two pump wells in schools and incorporated water filters in seven. The MJP also spreads awareness in schools on the importance of proper hygiene.

A Look Ahead

The Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation aims to alleviate extreme poverty in Cambodia through a six-program approach. Through numerous partnerships in local communities and attention to the environment as well as availability of resources, the Jolie-Pitt foundation has provided relief for communities across Cambodia.

– Aubrey Acord
Photo: Flickr