As a child, Red Ernst fled from the Khmer Rouge and grew up in Germany and Switzerland. Now, he provides support for various villages in his birthplace in Cambodia. His efforts began of his own initiative, and since 2017, he has worked with the support of the association Sol Sorya, of which he is a co-founder. He works closely on the projects with the local village residents. The village’s needs are first discussed with the village elders, then the projects are implemented, uncomplicated and without bureaucracy, with the active participation of the village population.
This has enabled the development of direly needed water reservoirs, village market squares and access roads. The improved infrastructure has stimulated the local economy. In addition, the jointly implemented projects have filled the people with pride in their accomplishments, bonded the communities together and given them the impetus to tackle further improvements.