Board of Trustees:
Georgina McLaren, Trustee
Georgina is one of the founders of Schools for Children of Cambodia. She taught English at Spien Chreav School in Siem Reap, which was subsequently adopted by the charity, as part of her gap year in 2001/2002.
Her brief experience exposed her to the poor quality of education and learning resources in Cambodia. Once back in London, she approached her colleagues for support in setting up a charity to fund free education programmes. With Marc and Glenn's help Schools for Children of Cambodia was born in late 2002.
Marc Templer, Trustee
One of the founders of Schools for Children of Cambodia, Marc first visited Cambodia in 2002, where he was amazed by the people, culture and temples and shocked at the ongoing impact the Pol Pot regime was having on the country and its people.
Marc was concerned at the lack of education for Cambodia's children. It seemed obvious that providing a basic level of education, irrespective of the ability to pay, was one of the best ways to help the people of Cambodia. The disparity in wealth between the UK and Cambodia, relatively small amounts of money, combined with the enthusiasm in the schools, would make a huge difference.
Marc, Glenn and Georgina's shared vision led to the creation of Schools for Children of Cambodia.
Glenn Jones, Trustee
Glenn first became interested in Cambodia whilst travelling in his gap year- at the age of 43. At the time Glenn had retired from his career in Financial IT where he had worked with both Georgina and Marc.
Glenn was inspired at the lengths the young children of Cambodia would go to in order receive an education. It was a revelation to a parent coming from a country that provides free education for all and so often sees the privilege abused.
He decided to work with Georgina and Marc setup and operate Schools for Children of Cambodia.
Jacqui Compton, Trustee
Jacqui first heard about Schools for Children of Cambodia through Marc whose enthusiasm for the aims of the charity was infectious. Having benefited from a good education in the UK, Jacqui hopes that she can use it to help make a difference to others by working with Schools for Children of Cambodia.
As the charity has grown so has Jacqui's involvement and interest in the history, culture and people of this extraordinary country. Jacqui became a Trustee in 2007.
Management Team:
Although we no longer have a team in Siem Reap the Trustees would like to wholeheartedly thank the following who worked so hard to help us achieve such good results:
Andrea Messmer, formerly General Manager, Cambodia
Andrea joined Schools for Children of Cambodia in September 2007 as General Manager. Although originally from the United States, Andrea has lived and worked in Cambodia since early 2005. She brought with her a wealth of international and grassroots NGO experience as well as a passion for education. Andrea dreams of a day when all Cambodian children can realise their right to a basic education.
Jay Chea Lim, formerly Programme Officer Cambodia
Jay grew up in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where he experienced firsthand the limitations of education and lack of free schooling. Jay's family struggled to send him and his siblings to school, and when his parents passed away his elder sister gave up her education to earn money to pay for her brothers and sisters to attend school.
Jay is passionate about education; he believes the new generation of Cambodia has the right to a free education. He wants to help build a better future for his country.
Thida Hun, formerly Programme Officer, Cambodia
Thida joined the Schools for Children of Cambodia team in October 2008 from Battambang, Cambodia. She is passionate about education, as demonstrated by her dedication as a primary teacher and as an education officer with the Ministry of Education since 2001.
Volunteers:
Melissa Smith
Whilst travelling around South East Asia in early 2004, Melissa fell in love with Cambodia and subsequently joined Schools for Children of Cambodia as a volunteer teacher to help improve the education of local children. She lived and worked in Siem Reap for 6 months before becoming a Trustee. She has continued to work for Schools for Children of Cambodia dispite resigning as a Trustee following a move to Australia.
Melissa is the founder of the Volunteer Teacher Programme which has seen over 100 volunteers from around the world volunteer at schools in Cambodia.
Katrina Easton & Peter Duffy, formerly Volunteer Coordinators
Katrina and Peter worked for Schools for Children of Cambodia as volunteer teachers at Khnar and Svay Dongkum School for 6 months in 2006/2007.
During their stay they managed the playground project at Svay Dongkum School and raised funds to install new playground facilities.
Now back in the UK, Katrina and Peter helped to coordinate the Volunteer Teaching Programme for which we are very grateful.
Carole Duffy, Fundraising Administrator
Carole was inspired to help Schools for Children of Cambodia by her son Peter Duffy. She helps SCC secure funding and manages fundraising administration.
SCC is also indebted to Andy Hill who spent a year with his family in Siem Reap helping SCC to develop its strategic plan. This was made possible through a Goldman Sachs Fellowship and the willingness of his wife and two young sons to embrace a new experience!