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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​Raksmey Suon: Program Manager

Like other many Cambodian women, Raksmey had to overcome significant challenges to get an education. Despite those challenged, she graduated from the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Biology. Next, she spent a year at Bard College in the U.S. as a Harpswell Foundation U.S. Scholar. She then returned to Cambodia and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Build Bright University in Siem Reap, before getting her Master's Degree in Educational Studies from Hong Kong.

Raksmey has years of experience working in the education field, and is currently also a Dormitory and Program Manager of the Harpswell Foundation.

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. 

Sreyla Phally: Mentor-Manager

Sreyla graduated the Royal University of Phnom Penh with a Bachelor's Degree in Physics in 2019. She is currently a lecturer in Physics and Math at the University of Puthisastra, and serves as its Math and Academic Skills Development Coordinator. Sreyla is also pursuing her Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at the Institute of Foreign Languages in Phnom Penh.

Sreyla has extensive experience teaching, mentoring, and working with university students. She also has extensive training on critical thinking and leadership skills.  

​Somalay Koh: Mentor-Manager

Somalay was one of the first 12 students accepted into Education First Cambodia in 2015. In 2018, she graduated the Royal University of Phnom Penh with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science. Also in 2018, Somalay was one of only four Cambodian students awarded the Honda Motor Company scholarship for young scientists. She then worked for a French environmental organization while also obtaining a Master's Degree in Water and Environmental Engineering from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. Somalay is now receiving teacher training at the National Institute of Education.

Somalay has served as Manager of the Education First Cambodia dormitory since March 2019, and as a Mentor-Manager since August 2019.

Sambath Mom: Computer teacher
 
Sambath has extensive computer skills and is trained in numerous computer languages, frameworks, databases, tools and design patterns. She currently works as a Senior API Developer, and has been certified in App Development with Java (Advanced) and Web Development. Nonetheless, Sambath is also able to train EFC’s students, some of whom join EFC with extremely limited computer literacy, with the skills they need to succeed both at university and in their future careers.
 
Sambath received a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, earning a near-perfect Grade Point Average.

Lihouy Veng: Dorm Manager
 
Lihouy is a fifth generation graduate of EFC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Management from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Her academic studies were complemented by her active participation in varied volunteer activities and internship programs, which equipped her with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. 
 
Lihouy works for one of the Big Four accounting firms and specializes in international tax compliance. She started as EFC’s dormitory manager in April 2024, and is committed to fostering a welcoming, healthy, and supportive living environment for the students.

Khoun Phanmei: Assistant Dorm Manager
 
Phanmei studied Biochemistry at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and is a graduate of Education First Cambodia’s fifth generation. She was the co-recipient of EFC’s Rankin Award for its top graduate in 2022, and was then awarded a full scholarship to pursue her Master’s in Biotechnology and Food Technology, a collaboration between the Royal University of Phnom Penh and the Swedish International Development Agency.

Phanmei has served as the Assistant Manager at EFC’s dormitory since May 2023, and is thrilled to be a part of the EFC community. Since January 2024, she has worked part-time with an international law firm on a highly successful project to recover ancient artifacts that were illegally taken from Cambodia.