Founding Journey
During one of these classes, he developed the needs survey you can find here, which asked nearly 1,000 education-focused NGOs across the developing world about this problem. With the knowledge that the issue reached far beyond Cambodia, ATHEFA’s global goals were born.
Here we are today, with ATHEFA built from the same question James first heard from students in Cambodia: what happens when capable young people have the ambition to continue their education but lack the resources to make it possible?
ATHEFA exists to help close that gap. What began as one founder’s idea has grown into a practical, scalable mission: to make higher education more accessible for disadvantaged youth, one scholarship, one partner, and one student at a time.
ATHEFA is the heart and brainchild of our Executive Director, James Connolly. The seed of ATHEFA was planted when he taught English to low-income students in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Part of his day was spent helping senior high school students with their homework one-on-one. In these discussions, a theme emerged: the students wanted to go to university, but they did not know how they could afford tuition or the cost of living that came with it.
The idea of how to help these students stayed with him. Over time, it evolved into Breakthrough Student Residences, an early concept for building student housing for low-income students pursuing higher education. James surveyed every local education-focused NGO he could find, and the response was clear: yes, this kind of support could make a meaningful difference in access to higher education. James soon realized, however, that the model was too ambitious for a first step and that raising funds for a full residence was unlikely.
But one thing remained: the mission was necessary.
James brought more than personal passion to the idea. His professional background in higher education had already given him direct experience supporting students, understanding university systems, and seeing how financial barriers can shape educational pathways. He had also volunteered on scholarship committees, giving him insight into how scholarship decisions are made, how student need is evaluated, and how carefully designed funding can change a student’s future.
So, he got back to work developing ATHEFA: a more cost-effective solution that could start small, help students sooner, and eventually grow toward the broader vision that first inspired him. James knew that while he had an important mission and a practical solution, he also needed to demonstrate that he could build a credible, responsible international organization. He re-enrolled in university, tailoring his degree to include business courses relevant to an international NGO and supplementing them with courses in international aid and development.
*Since James’ time in Cambodia, COLT has grown its post-secondary support and helped a number of Cambodian youth access higher education. ATHEFA builds on the broader need James first witnessed there, rather than replacing the important work already being done.
Our Board
ATHEFA’s Board of Directors provides governance, accountability, and strategic oversight as the organization develops. Board members support the responsible advancement of ATHEFA’s mission, help safeguard its values, and ensure that major decisions remain focused on expanding equitable access to higher education.
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Scholarship Reviewers
Scholarship reviewers play an essential role in ensuring ATHEFA’s funding reaches students with genuine need, strong potential, and a clear commitment to their future. Reviewers generously volunteer their time and expertise to support ATHEFA’s mission, helping ensure each application is assessed fairly, thoughtfully, and in alignment with our values. By bringing diverse perspectives to the selection process, reviewers help identify applicants who are most likely to benefit from higher education and create meaningful impact in their families and communities.
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