I visited Siem Reap, Cambodia many years ago, and have a surface-level understanding of the challenges faced there. Aviv Palti not only visited Siem Reap, but together with his family founded an organisation to help break the poverty cycle in Cambodia through the power of education. 

Aviv Palti is the CEO of Lifestyle Brands and founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST). The journey started unexpectedly when Aviv's 14-year-old daughter, Steph, was rejected from a school volunteering trip to Cambodia. Upset and dejected, the Palti family decided to seize the opportunity as a family mission. Two months later, six of them found themselves in Cambodia, volunteering at a rural school outside Siem Reap.

What began as teaching English evolved into a comprehensive program. CRST supports students not only through tuition but also by providing living allowances, healthcare, and mentorship. This support allows them to stay focused on their education and future success. The ripple effect to their extended family is huge, breaking the cycle of poverty that so many Cambodian students are trapped in. 

Empowering Others: A Leadership Philosophy

The philosophy of building others up underscores CRST, rooted in the belief that empowerment is key to sustainable change. Aviv emphasised the importance of leaders knowing when to step aside and support others, especially when they stumble. It’s about building resilience and capability rather than merely stepping in to fix problems.

Leading by Doing: The CRST Model

CRST’s innovative model places its students at the helm. From early on, students are taught to lead and manage the NGO. They are given roles equivalent to government positions—NGO Manager, Deputy NGO Manager, Education Manager, etc. This hands-on leadership develops their skillsets and instills in them a deep sense of responsibility and ownership, making CRST a sustainable model that equips the leaders of tomorrow.

Building Trust and Sustainability

One of the key elements Aviv highlighted was the importance of trust. From the onset, CRST committed to seeing its students through high school and university. This commitment, coupled with transparency and accountability, has built strong relationships with students and their families. Every year, new student selection teams, composed of current students, engage in a meticulous selection process that involves meeting families and village chiefs, ensuring a deep-rooted trust within the community.

Make sure you check out Aviv’s book, "Empowered," which is designed as a leadership guide. Featuring stories of CRST alumni who worked to become the future social leaders of their country, Aviv’s message is that leadership is a set of responsibilities anyone can learn, practise and own.

LINKS

Connect with Aviv Palti:

Book: Empowered: A new generation of leaders

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-palti-02596080/

Website: https://www.cambodiaruralstudentstrust.org/

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website:     https://juliehyde.com.au