About GKG
About Green Kids Global (GKG)
Green Kids Global Incorporated is an Australian non-profit NGO working to provide sustainable futures for vulnerable children.
We are currently working in partnership with Tara Winkler and the Cambodian Children’s Trust. Our short-term goal is to support CCT in establishing all of their current projects.
Our more long-term goal is to develop an Eco Village for CCT. The Eco Village will be a self-sustaining community that will grow most of its own food, generate its own renewable power, and provide an income from sustainable ventures while providing care and educational opportunities for up to 200 impoverished children.
About Cambodian Children's Trust (CCT)
Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT) is a non-profit NGO running projects to help break the cycle of poverty in the Battambang region of Cambodia. We provide practical, long-term support to some of the most vulnerable people in Cambodia.
CCT was created in 2007 when Tara Winkler and her Cambodian team rescued 14 children from a corrupt orphanage in Battambang. The children were suffering from severe neglect and shocking abuse. CCT is now home to 33 children. We help the children overcome their backgrounds of abuse and neglect and break the cycle of poverty by providing them with the best possible health care and education.
CCT also supports several families in the Battambang region and is establishing a range of community development programs that reach out to people in need, regardless of their circumstances. We work with street children, orphans, abandoned children, people with HIV/AIDS, sex workers, victims of landmines, victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, the physically and mentally disabled, families living in abject poverty, and anyone else who is in serious need.
For more information on CCT - www.cambodianchildrenstrust.org
By joining forces, GKG and CCT are working to develop a self-sustaining community that will provide children and families with life-skills, opportunities, and the confidence to take charge of their own lives.
Who are our people?
Sally Power
Founder & President of GKG, Australia
Sally Power has worked for 18 years in the Film/Television Industry and is now established internationally as a producer. Her true passion, though lies in the projects she’s been involved with, such as acting as the business development manager for "Cool Fuel Road Trips" showing on Discovery Channel in the US.
Sally’s passion for ecology, sustainable living and humanity is what sparked her interest in, and then dedication to, the work of Green Kids Global. She is now working full time from Australia on Green Kids Global and the Eco Village concept.
“We’ve been able to learn from the many inspirational organisations who are already creating sustainable communities. Our own model is based on combining Western resources with the local knowledge and community values already inherent in of the developing countries where we’ll be working.”
Tara Winkler
Founder & Donor Representative of CCT, Cambodia
Vice President GKG, Australia
Tara Winkler first arrived in Cambodia in 2005. Soon after, she became a volunteer at Akira’s Landmine Museum, which supported 20 children who were victims of land mines. She taught English to these kids and gave tours to tourist groups, telling them about the havoc land mines have caused in Cambodia.
It was during this time that she first visited a small orphanage in Battambang. The children were living in extreme poverty, which had a lasting impact on Tara.
Tara returned to Battambang in 2007 to discover that the orphanage director was using the children as a commodity to embezzle donated funds. The orphans were left with so little care that they were forced to catch mice and pet fish to cook and eat. They were also being subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In response, Tara worked with a team of caring locals and established the Cambodian Children’s Trust Orphanage to provide these children with a new safe home. She now lives in Battambang for most of the year.
Although she has faced some gruelling challenges, Tara feels they have easily been outweighed by the rewards. Now fluent in the Khmer language, Tara has been able to forge strong relationships with the children and is committed to providing them with the emotional security and opportunities that can break the cycle of poverty.
She has observed with pride, and more than a little amazement, how well the children have adapted to life at CCT. Each child now excels at school, with the majority being in the top three of their large classes at school. In the security of their new environment, such qualities as playfulness, confidence, trust and compassion have blossomed.
Tara now looks to the future with optimism. “CCT was initially set up in response to the emergency situation that the children were facing while living at the corrupt local orphanage. We now have big plans to help many more children. I’m really excited to be a part of the great developments happening now in Cambodia"
Meet the Australian Committee
OFFICE BEARERS
Sally Power Founder & President
Tara Winkler Vice President
Peter Winkler Secretary
Susan Kersey Treasurer
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Paul Harapin
Renata Bliss
Gerard Basili
Please go to contact us to email GKG Board.
Become a Member
Please email members@greenkidsglobal.org to receive further details about becoming a GKG official Member.
You will be able to attend our Annual General Meeting, receive our updates and progress throughout the year, and also receive our GKG e newsletter.
