Cambodia & Solidarity: SEAJA Projects, Breton Stars for Forgotten Children

SEAJA Projects, or “Children of Asia – Solidarity with Joseph and Agnes,” is a French NGO founded in 2025 by two committed friends from Brittany dedicated to educating disadvantaged children in Southeast Asia. Apolitical and non-denominational, it focuses on isolated rural villages in Cambodia and Thailand, delivering simple, high-impact projects.

Origins and Founders

The story begins with a 40-year friendship between Patrice Landrein and Stéphane Sélard, both from Lorient in Brittany. Their paths diverged before reconnecting in 2017 in Asia, a continent that profoundly shaped them. Inspired by personal encounters, they launched SEAJA in 2025 to open opportunities for children born into poverty.

Patrice Landrein, the NGO's vice-president, has directed luxury hotel establishments for three decades. Born into a working-class family in Brittany, his life changed at age 12 in a tragic car accident that claimed his mother, sister-in-law, and niece. Severely burned, he spent six months in hospital before entering the hospitality industry at 16 through training in Saint-Nazaire and Nantes. He gained 10 years of experience in Vietnam and Thailand, and since October 2024, he has managed the Royal Palm on Mauritius.

A pivotal moment came in 2017 in Thailand, when he discovered an abandoned school named after his late parents, Agnès and Joseph. This powerful "sign" sparked the flagship project to revive the school, guiding his humanitarian commitment.

Stéphane Sélard, SEAJA's president, recently retired after leading aeronautics subsidiaries. Living in Larmor-Plage, he spent 11 years in Asia with his family, including fathering a daughter adopted from Cambodia in 2002. His extensive travels forged lasting friendships, especially with the Kampong Thom orphanage. Deeply moved by the educational deprivation in his daughter's birth village, he started local projects before formalizing the NGO for broader impact.

Team and Structure

The team blends French volunteers and local coordinators: Sophal and Ramine oversee projects in Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom; Hélène Le Toriellec handles communications; Christophe Le Roux and Gilbert Landrein serve as vice-president and secretary; Nadia and Léa Sélard manage treasury and web development. This Franco-Asian synergy ensures effective on-the-ground action.

Sponsors and Godparents

SEAJA relies on a vibrant network of sponsors and godparents, the backbone of its citizen mobilization. Standout figures include comedian Muriel Robin, actress Anne Le Nen, and humorist Stéphane De Groodt, who leverage their fame to boost educational projects.

These individual and collective supporters fund targeted initiatives like child schooling or school renovations. Their involvement creates direct ties to beneficiaries, enhancing transparency and sustainability. Business, cultural, and sports personalities join this solidarity chain, amplifying impact through visibility and generosity. This sponsorship model, central to the NGO's strategy, enables quick responses to urgent needs while engaging French civil society in the Asian venture.

Mission and Values

SEAJA promotes education as a pathway to fulfillment in impoverished rural areas. Drawing inspiration from team sports, it emphasizes solidarity, inclusion, and sustainability, partnering with local communities for tailored solutions.

Main Activities

The NGO deploys "agile," low-cost projects for fast results: financial aid to families in villages like Pramat Dey enables primary schooling for children. The flagship effort is reviving the Agnès and Joseph school in Thailand, including renovations and plans for new primary schools. Initiatives engage villagers to promote education and ensure basic access for all.

Inspiring Testimonials

The human impact shines through beneficiaries' words. Léa Phâléap, adopted in 2002, shares: “Like Pramat Dey, my birth village, many live in precarious conditions. Supporting SEAJA helps families improve daily life and gives children access to primary school.” (September 8, 2025)

Thida, who arrived in France at age 4 from Kampong Thom, adds: “Our orphanage, once vibrant with remedial classes, deteriorated post-pandemic. Supporting SEAJA provides a dignified setting and restarts essential lessons.” These voices show how modest actions break poverty cycles.

Impact and Outlook

Since its founding, SEAJA has revived educational infrastructure and supported hundreds of children, prioritizing simplicity and humanity. In 2026, bolstered by Breton roots, a dedicated team, and high-profile sponsors like Muriel Robin, Anne Le Nen, and Stéphane De Groodt, the NGO plans measured expansion. Its founder-driven model inspires confidence for sustainable education in Southeast Asia.

https://seaja.org/fr/