Our Staff
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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.
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!
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.
KONTHEA MEAN
Education Manager
After finishing high school in 2007, Konthea took a Bachelor Degree in English at Mean Chey University. While pursuing the degree, she taught English voluntarily to children near her home and also worked in private English schools in Serei Sophorn. When she graduated from university in 2012 she worked with an International NGO, Hope for the Nations, in Poi Pet as an Assistant and Translator.
At the beginning of 2013 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. She is optimistic about seeing the development of Cambodia and is excited to play a role in it.
VANTHA KUON
Operations Manager
Vantha moved to Siem Reap in 2002 in order to attend school and in 2011 he graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from the University of South-East Asia. He joined JWOC in February 2009 and has taken his place as an invaluable member of staff through his hard work and dedication to community work.
Vantha manages the daily tasks related to the administration and maintenance of the office and school as well as working on the bookkeeping for all projects and coordinating the Scholarship Programme. He really enjoys working for JWOC and he hopes he can use his skills and time to help Cambodian students and people in the countryside and local communities.
THIDA CHAY
Scholarship Coordinator
After graduating with an Accounting degree from IIC Technology University in Phnom Penh, Thida worked as a Project Officer to raise awareness for women’s rights and differently abled people. Thida also has experience as a researcher and enjoys working with the community. As the current Scholarship Coordinator Thida will be working closely with the scholarship students during their time at JWOC as a mentor and will also continue to make improvements to the program. Thida is passionate about positive social change in the community and equal rights in society. She thoroughly enjoys travelling and working with people in her community!
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.
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.
Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) is a non-profit organization working in Cambodia to empower low-income Cambodians to lead their communities by providing educational and personal development opportunities, inspiring a mindset of co-responsibility and social service. JWOC is certified with a Platinum Seal of Transparency by GuideStar.org.
Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC)
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