Scott Neeson | Leaving Hollywood to go to poor children in Cambodia's landfill

For Scott Neeson, a life of luxury in America meant nothing compared to changing the fates of thousands of poor children. Perhaps he himself did not expect that he would find "true love" in a stinking garbage dump on the other side of the Earth.

Tough childhood

Born in Edinburgh (Scotland) but Scott Neeson moved to Australia when he was 5 years old. He was the son of a janitor and a soldier. At the age of 17, Scott decided to drop out of school and live off unemployment benefits. Thanks to a government support program, he was accepted into a cinema as a theater technician.

The story would have ended here if it weren't for Scott who was quite ambitious and full of enthusiasm. This man persistently climbed the film industry ladder, from a film distributor to a film salesman. Finally, all of Scott's hard work paid off when he was appointed Australia Branch Manager of 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios under Disney).

The turning point came for Scott in 2000 when he moved to Los Angeles to take over his dream job - President of 20th Century Fox International. He has an income of more than 1.5 million USD/year, alongside Hollywood's A-listers on the red carpet.

Fateful trip

During his 10 years at Fox, Scott enjoyed a wildly successful career, overseeing many of the highest-grossing films of all time such as Titanic, Star Wars, and X-Men. For many people, the Chairman owns everything: a position of power in the film industry, famous friends, a palatial mansion, supercars and yachts.

However, he still felt something was missing. He confided that seeing himself missing something, the more m.oney he earns, the more unhappy he becomes.

In 2003, just a few weeks before accepting a new position at Sony Pictures, Scott went to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to travel. This six-week trip completely changed his life.

"I wanted to see the poorest place in the country. They took me to Stung Meanchey - a landfill more than 90 meters deep and 100,000 square meters," Scott said. Here, Scott witnessed more than 1,500 children collecting in the heat of more than 50 degrees Celsius, surrounded by a pile of decomposing garbage and full of methane, and the ground seemed to melt. He also suffered burns to his feet from not paying attention to where he stepped on. There was a stench of stench everywhere.

Many children here are abandoned by their parents because of debt, illness, alcoholism or remarriage. They are f.orced to find scraps at this landfill to sell, if they are lucky, they will get about 1 USD (about 23,000 VND).

Scott wants to help these children, but he has a bias against charities. The former President of 20th Century Fox was afraid that the m.oney would not reach the children, and was worried that "one tree does not make a young".

"The third reason: This is not my business," he said. "In the US, you're living on the other side of the world. You pay taxes and the government has the power to decide on foreign aid." However, his honest nature made it impossible for Scott to ignore the plight of the children.

When he saw a 9-year-old c.hild walk past him in rags, Scott was heartbroken. Dirt and garbage covered the c.hild's b.ody, making it impossible for him to recognize whether she was a b.oy or a g.irl. It only took 90 minutes and $ 35 service fee, Scott helped that c.hild to go to school and have m.oney to pay for monthly living. This is also when all doubts about charity disappeared in his heart.

Life torn between two worlds rich - poor

When he returned to the US to start a new job, Scott Neeson promised himself he wouldn't let himself fall into the midlife crisis that is common in Los Angeles.

"I have worked for over 26 years in the film industry. From a projection technician at a mobile theater, I have worked hard to get to where I am today. I will not throw everything away like that." , he convinced himself.

However, the desire to help the children made Scott think a lot. In the following year, the former President of 20th Century Fox both worked in Hollywood and went to Cambodia to do charity work.

There are two parallel worlds in his life: Every month, he will spend 3 weeks dealing with work, sitting first class on a plane, attending the Oscars, meeting movie stars, earning m.oney. million USD/year. He will then send the m.oney to Cambodia.

"What I didn't take into account was the psychological trauma of having to constantly switch between two different worlds within 24 hours. On the one hand, a lavish and indulgent lifestyle, on the other hand, a poor and terrible landfill. - where children can die in front of you for lack of basic medical care. I can't live between two worlds like that," he said.

However, it was not until he witnessed an unforgettable moment of life and d.eath that Scott Neeson made the determination to let go of everything.

At the time, the former President of 20th Century Fox was in talks with a famous actor for the upcoming film. Finished work, he flew to Cambodia, while the other star went to Tokyo (Japan).

Scott went straight to the dump and met four orphans under the age of 10. The children are dying and no one can take them to the hospital. He panicked and didn't know what to do.

At that moment, the actor who had just flown to Tokyo called Scott. He complained and said that he was quite upset that his company had provided the wrong amenities on the jet.

"That's what he said to me, when I was standing in front of dying children. It was that moment that woke me up; all my worries about leaving Hollywood to live in Cambodia disappeared. It's the clearest signal that I'm on the right track," said Scott Neeson.

Immediately, Scott returned to Los Angeles and resigned on Monday. Not everyone thought Scott's decision was the right one. "The whole world thought I was c.razy to give up that dream job," recalls the former 20th Century Fox president.

Throw away the Hollywood aura to go to the landfill for charity

In 2004, Scott moved permanently to Cambodia and founded the Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF). This organization helps poor communities living off the landfill in Steung Meanchey, providing education, leadership, healthcare, childcare and career guidance programs.

To have m.oney, Scott did not hesitate to give up everything he owned. He sold his luxury mansion in Los Angeles, holding a garage sale to get rid of "useless things" in the house. Not even a Porsche and a yacht he doesn't need.

When he first started, Scott's goal was just to send 80 children from the Stung Meanchey landfill to school. In 2007, when the number reached 200 children, CCF established a community center, built mobile schools, providing clean water, food and basic services to the people here.

In 2009, this huge landfill officially closed. The number of students at CCF has also reached 500 students. The organization opened more local clinics, providing free medical services and counseling to people of all ages.

What impressed Scott most about the children was that despite living in poverty, they never asked for m.oney.

Over the past 16 years, Scott Neeson has completely changed the fate of more than 3,300 unfortunate lives here. Sreyoun - the 9-year-old g.irl who was saved by him in the past - graduated from university with a major in finance and economics in 2019. 80% of the children supported by CCF went to university, pursuing majors such as law. , civil engineer, psychologist...

This businessman also shared that he remembers the face and name of each c.hild he has saved, because "each c.hild is a journey".

Now, Scott Neeson still lives a simple life in Phnom Penh, continuing to pursue his mission of saving people. He usually wears a white T-shirt and canvas pants, bare feet, looks like a real Cambodian.

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