Solidarity: Matthieu Majoli, a bridge between France and Cambodia in the service of education
- Christophe Gargiulo
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
In a rich and candid interview, Matthieu Majoli, a Frenchman of Cambodian descent, reflects on his unusual career path and his passionate commitment to the Kep Educational Centre.
Entre souvenirs familiaux, ambitions pédagogiques et défis humanitaires, il nous livre avec sincérité et enthousiasme son expérience et sa vision pour l’avenir de ce lieu de vie consacré aux enfants.
Interview with Matthieu:
How old are you and where are you from?
Matthieu: I am 39 years old. I am French by birth, born in Lyon where I still live. On my mother's side, my grandmother immigrated to France over 70 years ago, and my father is of Cambodian descent. It is thanks to him that I have this connection to Cambodia, even though my French family is in the majority.
Can you tell us about your professional background and education?
Matthieu: I have a degree in Spanish, mainly to teach, although I have never taught directly. I have spent my career as a senior educational advisor (CPE) in secondary schools.
Before that, I worked with language travel agencies in Spain, particularly in Malaga and Barcelona, where we welcomed young people from all over Europe.
In 2013, I founded a tutoring school near Lyon with a very family-oriented approach.
What made you want to work for this NGO in Cambodia?
Matthieu: I discovered this organisation through my aunt Sylvia, who founded the educational centre in 2008. I came to Cambodia almost two years ago with the desire to see the centre before committing myself.
This place is much more than just a day centre: it is a living space where children, parents and staff interact and share on a daily basis. I immediately wanted to be part of this adventure.
Can you tell us about the educational centre?
Matthieu: The centre has around 150 children enrolled, with attendance varying around 40 children per day.
We offer a wide range of activities: English lessons, traditional and folk dancing, arts and crafts every day run by our young volunteers on civic service, as well as sports, including football three times a week.
We also have partnerships with other centres and sports clubs in the region. In addition to regular activities, we organise cultural and leisure outings, such as a recent visit to the temples of Sile, football matches and trips to the floating village.
What kind of children attend the centre?
Matthieu: They are children from all walks of life, some more disadvantaged than others, but they all come with their families, go to school and are fed. The centre aims to offer them extra stimulation: learning through play, enjoying their childhood to the full in a space where they can dance, draw, play football, etc.
This has also allowed parents to work more peacefully, knowing that their children are safe.
What is your specific role in this NGO, between France and Cambodia?
Matthieu: I live in France, where I continue my professional activities. I am president of the French branch of the association, while my aunt is president of the local branch. Together, we coordinate management, projects and decisions.
I make several trips to Cambodia each year, where I help with the practical implementation of activities and the organisation of events. Communication and day-to-day management are mainly done remotely, which is made easier by the time difference.
What is the current situation and future prospects for the centre?
Matthieu: Eighteen months ago, we had 40 children; today we have 150. The budget has not increased tenfold, because we do not offer individual sponsorship, but rather overall support for the centre. We are maintaining this solid and sustainable family structure rather than seeking spectacular but risky growth.
What are your personal plans in Cambodia?
Matthieu: I don't plan to settle there permanently, but I would like to be able to come several times a year for three-month periods to be more present.
This work is a mission entrusted to me by my aunt, and I want to continue her passionate commitment for decades to come.
Question: Apart from your commitment, what are your passions?
Matthieu: Fortunately, I am passionate about my work, so it merges with my hobbies. I love skiing and sports in general. Even though I don't practise regularly, I'm always up for a sporting activity or an outdoor adventure. I also really enjoy travelling and sharing simple but enriching moments with people.
Question: What aspect of Cambodia do you like the most, and what would you like to see change?
Matthieu: What I like the most is the sincerity and kindness of the people, which you feel every day. What I would like to see change is for Cambodians to become more confident and assert themselves more clearly with foreigners, especially tourists.
Matthieu's commitment illustrates the strength of family and cultural ties that transcend borders and give rise to large-scale human projects. His story also reflects a cautious but ambitious vision of a centre dedicated to children, which does not seek rapid growth but rather the sustainability of a local structure where children can flourish. Between Lyon and Kep, Mathieu is the link in a chain of fraternal and educational solidarity that will certainly continue to grow.
About the Kep Educational Centre (CEK)
Since 2011, the CEK has been a refuge of hope and rebirth for dozens of children from poor families who work in rice fields, salt marshes or fishing. Its history is rooted in the visionary commitment of Her Royal Highness Princess Sylvia Sisowath, a member of the Cambodian royal family who has always been passionate about education and social progress.
The CEK aims to offer much more than just a playground: it is a home for life, discovery and learning. Every day, more than 200 children till 16 years old come to the centre to access education, cultural activities (Khmer dance, English, IT), sports and games, thus supplementing the often inadequate public schooling in the region.
Beyond its walls, the institution encourages outings, nature discovery and participation in local life, creating a true educational ecosystem.
CEK's mission is closely linked to Sylvia Sisowath's humanist journey, marked by her tireless commitment to vulnerable children in both Cambodia and France.
She has worked to create independent structures adapted to rural realities, making kindness and personalised support the cornerstones of the project.
The centre operates thanks to the generosity of donors, placing mutual aid and solidarity at the heart of its work. In the small town of Kep, the CEK shines like a discreet but essential star: that of a generation of children regaining their right to childhood and a future.
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