About Daniela Papi

This is how Daniela is a Changemaker:
I am making change with "Protect the Earth. Protect Yourself." (PEPY), an educational non-profit organization in Cambodia with a focus on environmental and health education. Having traveled to Cambodia, I had seen the countless number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) lining the streets, many with wonderful ideas but lacking the funds for the projects and others with big budgets who seemed to be prioritizing their spending in unsustainable ways. I wanted to find those educational changemakers who were doing the best work and fund their projects without having to enter the NGO funding "competition" or have to walk around with a hat collecting donations year-round. Our solution was PEPY Tours, offering volunteer and adventure tours in Cambodia which fund development programs.

The place for which Daniela feels a fondness or connection:
Since my first visit to Cambodia in 2002, I have felt a fondness for this place and its people. The changes in Cambodia have barriers of course including the recent history's emotional strain on the society and the current corruption, but the rate of change that is happening is due to a commitment and passion alive in the Cambodian people. Many are making changes in their own lives for the sake of their children, because for the first times in their lives they are free to do so, or because they have a dream for their society that they want to see fulfilled. It creates a motivating atmosphere in which to work and I have enjoyed the people and place immensely since moving here two years ago.

The change Daniela passionately wants to happen:
I believe that education is the key to change and I want there to be a world where every child is master of her own education. Where each child is free from the burden of income generation and has nearby access to high quality education so that they are given the opportunity to love learning and can pursue the choices they want to make in life.