Our mission at Human and Hope Association is to alleviate poverty in Cambodia by empowering local communities through grassroots projects that focus on education, vocational training, and community development. As an entirely Khmer-run organization, we are committed to providing sustainable solutions that foster long-term growth and prosperity for those in need.
“I enjoy learning Khmer at HHA and I like to play with my classmates and to read story books in the library. I want to be a Khmer teacher at public school when I grow up.”
History of Human and Hope Association
Students at our original location in 2012.
2011
Human and Hope Association was founded in March 2011 by Cambodian villagers who recognized a lack of education in their community. To address this issue, they started teaching English at a pagoda, charging a small fee to cover expenses. Their team of volunteers grew, and they expanded their reach over 18 months.
2012
In Oct 2012, an Australian residing in Siem Reap became the Operations Manager after being inspired by the commitment of Khmer volunteers. Her goals were to develop the organisation into a registered NGO, work with the team to fresh initiatives and secure the organization's longevity.
Hygiene workshops were launched.
A dedicated library was created.
The foreign teaching volunteer program ended.
2013
Weekly art classes began.
Funds were secured to promote some local volunteers to paid employment.
A preschool program was launched.
The Living Values program was overhauled.
A sewing program was launched.
HHA became a registered NGO with the Ministry of Interior.
A staff university program was established.
A microfinance program was trialled.
Education scholarships for children were provided.
Our Australian fundraising partner, Human & Hope Australia, was created.
HHA began supporting a rural school in Kralanh district.
2014
Additional local staff were hired.
A sewing business was created, creating jobs for graduates of the sewing program.
A Khmer language program was established.
A family farm program was trialled.
Community workshops were implemented.
Our first preschool class graduated and transitioned to public school.
HHA needed to relocate in 2014 in order to ensure the organization's sustainability and the community's safety. Within a few months, the team managed to raise USD $20,000 from generous Australian donors and build their community center 4km away from their former location.
The foreign volunteer program ended.
2015
Additional local staff were hired.
Co-Founder Thai San became Managing Director.
The family farm program was established after a trial.
2016
The microfinance program ended.
Board President Sreylin Chum received the World Relief Australia Local Hero Award.
The Australian staff member achieved redundancy on July 6th, 2016, leading to the complete operation of Human and Hope Association by local staff, a status that remains unchanged to this day. The organization's philosophy is that local staff are better equipped to tackle the challenges facing the community.
2017
Staff received a pay increase in line with similar NGOs.
Managing Director Thai San received the World Relief Australia Local Hero Award.
The first recipient of the staff university scholarship graduated.
2018
The education program curriculum was overhauled.
The family farm program ended.
2019
The English language program achieved a 94% pass rate, its highest ever.
Education & Community Manager Salin Loeum was listed on the Diana Award Honorary Roll.
2020
The pandemic hit. All staff took a 20% paycut to retain their jobs.
Education classes were moved online, with students coming to HHA to collect homework if they couldn’t access the internet.
Emergency food packs were distributed to community members in dire situations.
A trial Home Food Garden project was established.
Sewing Teacher Phalla Yorn was listed on the Diana Award Honor Roll.
20,000 community members were provided with PPE and official World Health Organization information through HHA’s Tuk-Tuk Outreach Project.
2021
Staff salaries were reinstated to their pre-pandemic amounts.
Education classes opened temporarily and were closed again as COVID cases rose in Cambodia.
Emergency food packs continued to be distributed to community members in dire situations.
The Home Food Garden project supported hundreds of families to create their own food sources.
10,000 public school students were provided with PPE and official World Health Organization information.
2022
Co-Founder Salin Loeum began training as future Managing Director under the leadership of outgoing Co-Founder, Thai San.
A rice loan project was trialled.
A supporting entrepreneurial farmers project was trialled.
HHA’s sewing business became a registered social enterprise, HOPE Sewing Enterprise.
2023
Salin Loeum became the Managing Director of HHA, and outgoing Managing Director, Thai San, became Treasurer of the board.
A menstrual hygiene project was launched.
Annual Reports
Vision
For Cambodians to transform their lives through empowering and sustainable methods which are passed on from generation to generation.
Mission
For empower Cambodians to create sustainable futures for themselves through projects focused on education, vocational training and community support.
Aims
1. To provide free services to Level One, Two and Three beneficiaries so education and vocational opportunities are available to all members of our community.
2. To provide quality education to our students by providing them with a good environment of learning by capacity building our staff.
3. To promote strong, united families where children have access to education and parents have the skills to find sustainable employment.
4. To teach living values to students as part of a holistic approach to education and community development.
5. To create long-term, positive change by addressing the underlying causes of poverty and disadvantage and implementing projects to tackle these issues.
6. To become and remain an entirely Khmer operated NGO through capacity building our staff and initiating strong management systems.
Values
Empowerment – we aim to empower people to create long-term change for themselves and our community. We do not accept foreign volunteers. We do not support voluntourism due to its negative effects on the students and their local communities. We do not participate in voluntourism activities and speak out against it.
Sustainability – we believe in the importance of ensuring that positive change is long-lasting and intergenerational; a long-term solution to poverty.
Equality – we do not discriminate on any basis, including age, gender or social status. We believe everyone is deserving of opportunities and support.
Integrity – we believe in doing what is right even when it is difficult, and hope to promote this value to our students and community.
Transformation – we hope to foster positive growth for individuals as well as promote social change in our community and Cambodia generally.
Awards & Recognitions
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Our Sewing Teacher, Phalla Yorn, was recognised on the 2020 Diana Honor Roll for her work in supporting women to overcome poverty with the skill of sewing.
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Our Co-Founder, Salin Loeum, was recognised on the 2019 Diana Honor Roll for his work in overhauling our education programs.
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Our Co-Founder, Thai San, was named the 2017 World Relief Australia Unsung Hero for his work in leading our organisation.
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Our board member, Sreylin Chum, was named the 2016 World Relief Australia Unsung Hero for her work in leading our board of directors.