KNEATH HEARD

Executive Director

Kneath joins the team with a wide range of experience working with non-profits and educational organizations across Asia.

Having grown up in the city of Bristol, Kneath graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama, and immediately moved to South Korea to teach English. He would spend three of the next five years working and volunteering for different organizations across Korea, and knew early on he would spend many more years calling Asia his home. Between times spent in Korea, he graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Master’s degree in International Development, having conducted extensive research working closely with rural-urban migrants in Beijing and the NGOs that support them.

Before joining JWOC, Kneath worked as the Director for a learning center in Malaysia that provided access to education for youth from the Somali refugee community, and supported their goals to tackle forms of social exclusion they faced in their daily lives. It is through these experiences that his passion for the use of education as a tool to empower and develop communities has grown.

KONTHEA MEAN

Program Manager

With the purpose of self-development, a desire to learn and wanting to help poor communities in Cambodia, Konthea moved from Banteay Mean Chey Province, where she was born, to Siem Reap Province to join JWOC as a dynamic team player.

Since then, Konthea has spent 6 years being a part of the JWOC family: first, as our Community Support Program Manager in 2013 where she delivered training sessions in local villages and then became our first ever Cambodian Education Manager in August 2017.

In her new role, Konthea will be overseeing all of our programs. She is optimistic about seeing the development of Cambodia and is excited to play a role in it. 

DANE ROS

Scholarship Coordinator

Dane graduated with a major in International Relations from the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE). She was raised and educated in the capital city of Cambodia, known as Phnom Penh. Before joining the JWOC team as our Scholarship Program Coordinator, she volunteered and worked with various youth groups and organizations aimed at empowering young Cambodians to be the potential human resources for the present and future generation.

It is an enthusiastic journey for her to take part in an education-focused organization in Siem Reap province. She sees this as an opportunity to keep enabling her motivation and passion to empower youths, equipping them with the skills and sufficient capacity for future employability, while supporting them to become social/community change makers. Helping Cambodian youth, especially those who live in rural communities, to pursue higher education, is one of her goals to be achieved in her 20s. She believes that everyone deserves the right to receive an equitable quality of education, regardless of race, gender, or economic status.

Last but not least, eating, adventurous traveling, and networking are all her favorite hobbies. She enjoys risk-taking that possibly drives her to the path of self-discovery and to become stronger than ever.

KEISHA GANI

Fundraising and Communications Manager

Hailing from Sri Lanka, Keisha has joined JWOC as the Fundraising and Communications Manager. She recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MSc in Health Policy (focused on Health Inequalities). Over the last few years, Keisha has been a Student Coordinator with Save the Children UK and a Policy and Campaigns Assistant at her University’s Students’ Association.

Keisha is an avid campaigner who is passionate about human rights and empowering young people to become socially responsible and politically engaged citizens. She is excited to be back in Asia and working with such a diverse and welcoming community!

PHANG RASMEY CHAMNAN

Administration and Finance Officer

Chamnan is originally from Battambang, Cambodia, and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor in Business Administration at the National University of Management in Phnom Penh. She joins the JWOC team with a wealth of experience in supporting NGOs with administration and finance. She most recently worked for the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies as an Accountant.

Chamnan joined JWOC to help youth by providing Scholarships and personal development opportunities. It reminded her of her past where it was hard to find someone or an NGO to support her studies. She is excited to be a part of JWOC to help Cambodian youth to grow.

KEA ENG

Free Classes Program Coordinator

Originally from outside Siem Reap city, Kea moved in town to continue his education. After completing high school in 2011, Kea applied for a JWOC scholarship to pursue English studies at Build Bright University.

As a scholarship student with JWOC, Kea volunteered as an English teacher in Free Classes program for 4 years. During this time, he also worked full-time as the Free Classes Support Officer. Upon completion of his University degree, Kea was promoted to Free Classes Program Manager at JWOC. He is excited about this new endeavor and looks forward to using his skills/experiences to help Cambodian students and the community JWOC serves.

NETRA SONG

Community Support Program Coordinator

Netra grew up in Osrlao village, Sange district, Battambang Province; his parents are farmers and he is the second child of five. Growing up in the countryside, he walked 2km to school every day and dreamed of being a teacher, he completed high school in 2003 in Battambang town.

In pursuing his dream, in 2006 Netra started to volunteer by teaching children classes and received a scholarship from Cambodia Organization for Research and Development (CORDE) and started at the University of Education and Development. In 2010 he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Education and Development before working in several non-profits such as Preparation for Social Action Program Manager and CORDE. Netra is now married with one daughter happily living in Siem Reap. His hobbies include swimming, playing football and reading the news.

SONESA KHUON

Librarian and Child Development Coordinator

Before joining JWOC, Nesa used to teach English at Florida International School for five years, at the same time she also studied for her Bachelors in English at the University of South East Asia and graduated in 2013. After graduating, she wanted to get more diverse experience in teaching children away from traditional schooling and she found JWOC!

Since working in JWOC, she has learned many new things such as computer skills, internet, email, making crafts, leading a team and taking care of lots of books in the library. She loves the environment and people here and is inspired to provide free knowledge students through fun and creative methods. She loves her job and works tirelessly to improve herself and the Library. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music, sing and chat with her friends.