Queenslanders employee gives back with international scholarship

Queenslanders Credit Union employee Katie Preston has returned from the trip of a lifetime in Cambodia with international aid organisation, CUFA.

Katie scored the professional development opportunity after winning the inaugural Harry Zaphir Village Entrepreneur Scholarship, which was created to award an emerging leader, or ‘Bright Young Thing’, in the Australian mutual movement.

The scholarship involved a fundraising commitment, followed by an all-expenses paid trip to Cambodia (sponsored by TSWG) to observe and participate directly in a number of CUFA’s projects that are making a real difference in the lives of people from developing countries.

In her nine days abroad, Katie gained first-hand experience helping members of credit unions in poor communities in rural Cambodia through the Village Entrepreneur Program.

The Program helps individuals to pull themselves out of poverty with the training and support to start a small sustainable business.

Another highlight for Katie was visiting local children and schools that are benefiting from CUFA’s Children’s Financial Literacy Program.

Katie shares her experiences in a blog titled A Queenslander in Cambodia.