Cambodian Team

Education First Cambodia's Cambodian team is an invaluable part of our program and integral to EFC's success. Our mentor-managers manage the project's day-to-day activities, provide leadership and career skills training, and serve as mentors to the students. Our computer teachers skillfully move the students from computer illiteracy to proficiency in all major software products. Volunteer native speakers of English tutor the students and build their English speaking skills.
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Savry Heng: Mentor-Manager

Savry started out much like the Women Scholars helped by Education First Cambodia -- she was raised in a poor rural family and came alone to Phnom Penh to attend university. But Savry was able to thrive, getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and then a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from University of Lille. Savry also received extensive leadership training while an undergraduate.
 
Savry is now a Certified Public Accountant working for the Clinton Global Health Initiative, and serves as its Finance and Human Resources Administrator in Cambodia. Savry is an excellent role model for the Women Scholars. 
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Rina Chunn: Mentor-Manager

Rina also started out much like the women Education First Cambodia helps. She grew up poor in a rural area, and struggled when she first came to university in Phnom Penh. She knows firsthand the challenges that Education First Cambodia’s Women Scholars face.
 
Despite the challenges, Rina received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics. Rina further developed her skills in the U.S., studying at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont, auditing classes at Harvard and Suffolk law schools, and working as a probation intern at the district court in Lowell, Massachusetts. Like Savry, Rina received extensive leadership training as an undergraduate.
 
Rina currently works as the Legal and Compliance Manager at Bayer (Cambodia) Co. and previously practiced with law firms in Phnom Penh.

Phallin Lay: Advisor 
 
As a student, Phallin confronted the same obstacles that challenge Education First Cambodia’s Women Scholars. Nonetheless, she obtained two Bachelor Degrees, one in Teaching English as a Second Language and one in Economics, as well as a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Cambodia's prestigious Institute of Foreign Languages. Phallin has received numerous awards for her academic achievement, presented at conferences focused on education and women’s empowerment in Malaysia and Korea, completed certificate programs in India and Japan, and was selected to represent Cambodia at the Asian Youth Forum in Korea. Phallin also served as a Learning Facilitator and Recruitment Specialist at an education center focused on providing intensive training to a select group of young Cambodians with significant potential.

Phallin previously served as a Mentor-Manager for Education First Cambodia, but is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Korea. She continues to advise Education First Cambodia and its students.

Saradeth Pann: Computer teacher

Saradeth grew up in a poor family in Phnom Penh, and was accepted into the children's organization formerly run by EFC co-founder Annette Jensen. With the organization's assistance and his own natural ability, Saradeth completed high school and went on to secure a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology from Build Bright University in Phnom Penh.

Saradeth currently works as a computer programmer for E-Khmer Technology, but views his work for EFC as a way to give back to younger students who also grew up poor. 

Ged McPhail: Computer teacher

Ged McPhail is a British teacher with decades of experience teaching computer skills and increasing access to computers all over the world. He generously teaches our students for free when he is not busy providing a village with computer access.  Whereas our Khmer computer teacher focuses on more basic computer skills such as Microsoft Office and researching on the internet, Ged teaches PhotoShop, video production, and more sophisticated programs. We are grateful for his expertise!