Who We Are

Jamie C. Amelio is the founder and CEO of Caring for Cambodia (CFC), a non-profit, non-governmental charitable organization that has dramatically changed the lives of tens of thousands of Cambodian children. CFC started in 2003 with the goal to provide Cambodian children education by building a school in the Siem Reap area. That initial goal of one school has grown into a mission to secure a better, brighter future for those children and so many more.

Jamie is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Golden Hand Service Award (2014, 2012, 2010, 2005) bestowed by the Cambodian government to those who give outstanding service to the Cambodian community. She received the award for Outstanding Community Leader in 2015 and the Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2011 from the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and was named as a 2010 Classic Woman of the Year by Traditional Home Magazine.

Jamie is no stranger to helping children, and was a dedicated volunteer long before beginning the Caring for Cambodia journey. She served on the Board of Directors of Vistas for Children in Los Angeles, and founded Junior Vistas for Children. She served on the CLASS (Community Leaders Advocating Student Success) and is a member of Leader For Life committee for Lake Travis School District. Most recently, Jamie has founded Staying Bothered, a global movement to help people find what bothers them the most, motivate them to get involved, and provide them with the tools to stay committed to affect real, positive change.

Jamie is the author of three books: Graced With Orange, an inspiring look at how one woman set out against difficult odds to change the education of an entire population, and Stumpy the Crocodile, a children’s book about helping neighbors in need. Her latest book, Staying Bothered, Find Your Passion, Commit To Action, Change the World, was released in November, 2019. She is also the orator of a TEDx Talk, Be Bothered, Stay Bothered, where she reveals the secret to staying motivated to make a difference.

Jamie lived in Asia for a decade and now makes her home in Austin, Texas. She has six children, including two from Cambodia, and one grandson, all of whom understand the importance of “Being Orange” and “Staying Bothered”.

Ung Savy is CFC’s Superintendent of Schools and Country Director. He has served as Superintendent since 2003, and additionally, as Country Director since 2006. In this role, Savy oversees all student programs across CFC’s twenty-one schools, offering leadership to the school principals and providing opportunities for improvement at each campus to maximize student learning. As the primary liaison to the Cambodian Government, Savy has implemented the joint Memorandum of Understanding and built important relationships with the Ministry of Education. In addition to managing the school principals, Savy directs the Deputy Country Director, the CFC Administrator, the Executive Assistant of Programs, and the Senior Program Manager.

Under Savy’s leadership, drop-out rates have fallen to less than 10% consistently since 2010 (currently one-third the national rate), and CFC has continued to forge connections with the Cambodian government, achieving the significant honor of being named the country’s model schools by the Minister of Education.

Savy’s early years were overshadowed by the Khmer Rouge, and from the age of one, he lived in Cambodia’s war-torn conditions. Separated from his parents and family, he was provided with limited food and was forced to work destroying termite mounds and making fertilizer for rice paddy fields until the age of 10 when the Vietnamese army forced Pol Pot from power. At the age of 13, Savy finally began his formal schooling as a first grader. After graduating from sixth grade at the age of 18, he joined the Vietnamese army where he started learning English – something that was illegal at the time.

In 1993, Savy was able to use his knowledge to provide translation services to the UN armies upon their arrival in Cambodia. He was also able to return to school to continue his formal education. After relocating to Siem Reap in 1994, Savy obtained a position as an English teacher at Spien Chreav School – now the Spien Chreav Amelio School – and worked as a tour guide in his spare time. Savy stayed in these roles until 2003 when he was introduced to Jamie and Bill Amelio, and accepted the role of Superintendent at what was the first of CFC’s now twenty-one schools.

Since joining the CFC team, Savy has supplemented his education with courses on leadership and English, among others, bolstering his natural ability to guide teams and excel in an international environment.

Savy and his wife, Mom, live in Siem Reap with their son who was born in 2011.

Rebecca Large is CFC’s Deputy Country Director. She helps to establish strategic direction and execution of key CFC initiatives, and works with CFC’s program managers to strengthen current systems as well as implement new community programs. Additionally, Rebecca develops human resource policies and procedures, and trains local teams on communication and public relations skills.

Rebecca started working in Cambodia in 2014 after graduating University of Sheffield with a degree in Human Geography. Employed by Futuresense Foundation in Cambodia, she was initially assigned as a volunteer and program coordinator, but progressed to program manager where she developed and implemented sustainable education programs. It was during this time that Rebecca developed a love for Cambodia, and for grassroots development with a focus on education initiatives and policy.

This experience led Rebecca to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Sussex in International Education and Development, where she conducted research in Nepal about head-teachers’ roles in supporting teachers’ professional development.

Kimberly Gibson is CFC’s Director of Events and Operations. 

Kimberly was raised in Iowa where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Iowa. After moving to Arizona in 2004, she worked in both the nonprofit and private sectors in event management, fundraising, operations, and human resources. She also earned a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Management from Arizona State University.

Kimberly and her husband live in Arizona with their two young daughters. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, spending time together outdoors, and watching cooking shows.

Meas Sarik is the Secretary at Aranh Sakor CFC high school and CFC’s Global Administrative Assistant. I am responsible for preparing paperwork in-country and assist the Accountant with how to properly complete CFC monthly paperwork as well as accounting and monthly reports.

Sarik obtained his diploma degree in 1997, trained at the teacher training college in 1999 and then started to work at Spien Chreav Amelio school. I started working with CFC in 2003 as a teacher at Amelio school, and as an Administrative Assistant since 2005.    

This experience for teaching since 1999 has enabled me to obtain a college degree in teaching and a master’s degree in MPA in Cambodia that was supported by Jamie and CFC. CFC is a family and I’m very happy that all the team and staff are friendly.

I live with my wife, Phalla, in Siem Reap with our twin sons who were born in 2003 and daughter born in 2007. 

Laurie has many years of finance and operations experience with over 20 years in educational nonprofits. Prior jobs include controller at The Pennington School, an independent day/boarding school in New Jersey, Executive Director of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, a retreat center offering on site and online courses, and the Director of Finance and Operations at Sea Education Association, a nonprofit offering semesters at sea on tall ships for college students.

Laurie has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia.  Although initially drawn by her passion for scuba diving, she quickly fell in the love with the region. She was very happy to join CFC in 2021 and be able to offer something in return to the region. Laurie has a B.A in accounting from the University of Alabama and a M.A in counseling from Rider University

Laurie currently resides in La Paz, Mexico

My name is Thib Sok-Em. I am CFC’s Accountant based in Siem Reap. I have a Masters of Audit and a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the Vanda Institute of Accounting.

I have been working as an accountant for more than one year with CFC and I am responsible for all financial systems in Cambodia and work closely with the US Director of Finance. I help to develop financial system with program managers that follow International Accounting standards. I really enjoy working in a great team and to join different activities in CFC such as training, food for thought, vision screening, marathon, and volunteer projects.

I usually enjoy visiting the temples with my family and really happy to hang out with friends to discuss future plans. We enjoy taking photos as we love to visit many different places and new places around Cambodia and sometimes we have the chance to visit abroad together.

I have one brother and two sisters living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. 

My name is Chan Vandy and I am an Early Childhood Deputy. I work with the preschool coordinator, kindergarten coordinator, and kindergarten teachers. I have been working with CFC for 13 years.

I like developing programs and teamwork in order to improve the program and reach the goal that all CFC schools will become the standard school and recognized by the Ministry of Education. In addition, working with CFC has helped me improve my knowledge and skills. Another happy thing is that the CFC team always helps each other.

When I have free time, I like reading books and cutting cloth, cooking food and cookies for my family or some time, I bring my parents to go visit new places.

My name is Tao Lay. I started working for Caring for Cambodia in 2017 as Career Preparation Advisor, then, one year later I was promoted to Life Skills Deputy. I am responsible for three programs: career prep program, school health program, and gender equity program. My main task is to coordinate the teams and find the best ways to improve the programs to respond to the community and school challenges. In addition, I connect with other professional schools, universities, non- government organizations to seeking an opportunity such as scholarship and job opportunity for CFC students and alumni.

My favorite thing about my job and working with CFC is a good environment, teamwork, and opportunities to learn. Now, I am studying for my Master's Degree at South East Asia university with the major ‘Management” and English class at ACE that is supported by CFC.

I have 2 children and now we living together in Siem Reap province. In my free time, I like to read books, research, and study. At the weekend, I take my family to visit Angkor Wat temple, mountains and Tonle Sap lake to relax and observe nature. 

My name is Mim Loam. Previously, I worked with the Department of Education Youth and Sport for 34 years as Primary and ECE Head officer and now I am retired.

I have been working with CFC for 6 years as the Community and Government Liaison Officer. Since working here, I am very interested in my CFC work, even though I am a retired man. CFC team is great, they are friendly, respectful, and kindly help each other.

My favorite things besides working, I like reading newspapers, listen to music or traveling with friends.

My name is Loeung Sophal, I have been working with Caring for Cambodia for 5 years. My position now is Outreach Deputy so in this job I am responsible for the FFT program and Trip Program.

To be honest, I am very proud of myself when I got this opportunity to work with Caring for Cambodia. We have worked to improve education and I feel very impressed to see CFC schools have been developed a lot. I have seen students look healthier, smarter, politer and they are friendly, taking care of their studying (but not just them even their parents too). They have a lot of smiles with their beautiful school environment. I am really happy to see teaching and learning have changed and I obviously want Khmer students to enjoy their education. Another special point which makes me enjoy working with CFC is that our all team always help each other and share knowledge.

I have two kids (boy and girl) and in my free time, I like reading storybooks to my kids, exercising, and cooking food with my wife, as well as, taking my family sightseeing at the temple area.

My name is Soung Sopheary, I am an Education deputy. I have been working with CFC for ten years. Throughout these years, I like to be working to develop my program and staff and really pleased to see students have a good result from their learning, sharing ideas and support each other. I wish to see education in Cambodia have a high standard and be recognized by every country in the world. I have been married for 5 years and my husband is an NGO worker too. My hobby in my free time is going to visit my parents and cooking for them in my hometown.

My name is Vantha I am working as STEM & Workforce Deputy where I am responsible for technology and English at CFC. I have been working with CFC since 2013 which is around 7 years already. Currently, I am studying at University to earn a Master's of Public Administration degree. 

I love working with CFC because of its focus on teamwork and delegation. Normally, I like to read books and use technology to research something new in my free time.

My name is Han Siekheng and I am the ICT Program Manager. I am responsible for implementing and maintaining an effective and integrated ICT plan for all CFC schools. Also, I’m improving technology skills among CFC staff and teachers of CFC schools. I have been working with CFC for 6 years. I really enjoy my position especially planning how to improve my teams’ ability, how to improve the ICT curriculum, and what to do next to improve the program and students' learning. 

I have 8 siblings, 4 sisters and 4 brothers, and I am number six. During my free time, I like to go to a silent place to read a book and do coding.

My name is Sinat Kol. I am the ESL Program Manager, and I have been working at Caring for Cambodia for ten years. I am very excited about being a part of the CFC team as an ESL program manager. I really love working with my team in the ESL program, especially with the students and the teachers. In my free time, I like reading books and taking my family to visit some exciting places in Siem Reap.

My name is Sithat. I am a Primary Program Coordinator, and I have been working with CFC for seven years. Before I worked with CFC, I was a teacher for grade 6 at Aranh primary school. In 2013 I was chosen to be a mentor teacher for grades 5 and 6 by CFC. In this position, I worked with all teachers grade 5 and 6 to support them in classroom management and technical of teaching. 2019 I improved myself to be the Primary Program Manager. I now support all mentor teachers on general management and finding solutions for all primary school challenges. 

My husband also works in the provincial education department. I have three daughters, and we live in Siem Reap.

My name is Vanndy. I am the Library Program Manager. My husband is a school teacher, and I have two sons. I have been working with CFC for 11 years. Before working with CFC, I was a librarian at a cluster school and also a librarian part-time at CFC Kong Much primary school. I have been trained in librarianship with the Ministry of Education and other organizations to develop myself to be a librarian coordinator for CFC full time as of 2011. As a librarian coordinator, I work closely with all librarians and principals at all CFC primary schools to encourage cooperation and sharing ideas to solve librarian challenges and making sure the library activities run well. Around 2016 I have been promoted as a library program manager. I work with primary, secondary, and high school libraries to create research programs and set schedules for students to do research in the library. To ensure that all libraries work, I have to check and evaluate all librarians on a regular basis. 

My name is Suy Sophea, and I am the Food for Thought Manager, as well as the Storage and Project Coordinator. I have been working with Caring for Cambodia for 13 years. I am very happy working here because I have learned a lot and gained more experience around the world. FFT program is very important for our students to get food to help them to continue with their learning and spend less money from their family. I am very happy working here because we are like a family.  We work on education to change our students' lives.

I have one daughter, and my family is very happy to see that my job working at CFC and for our community is changing lives by education. 

At free time, I like doing housework or some time take my family outside to get some food and relax, and I enjoy cooking too. 

I would like to say thank you to Caring for Cambodia and all our sponsors around the world for helping education here and making our changing our children's lives. I wish all our supporters success in everything they want and good health.

I am Meas Jeudy, and I am CFC’s Career Preparation Coordinator. I am happy to work for CFC, and I have been with CFC since 2018.

I share my experiences with the students in CFC’s schools, and I teach students from grades 9 to 12 about preparing for when they graduate. The lessons are all about life skills which guide and help them to prepare themselves before going to university and getting jobs. Furthermore, I am very happy to work in a team, and we are happy to help others. I hope that I can help many more students to make better decisions in their life.

My name is Loan Ratha. I started working for Caring for Cambodia in 2016 as a Health Educator. In 2018, I was promoted to Health Program Coordinator. 

I am responsible for coordinating with school principals, teachers, and the health team to provide health classes, first aid training, vision, and dental screening, updating wash facilities, and cooperating with other programs to address challenges in CFC target schools and communities.

I am happy and enjoy my work with Caring for Cambodia, as I have a  chance to share my knowledge, experience to serve the children and the community. Besides, I like the way that CFC is working as a team to collaborate and support each other, especially giving the staff an opportunity to learn new things.

My name is Than Vanthai, and I’ve been working for Caring for Cambodia as a Trip Coordinator for six years. I really like my job because I know education will change our futures. I really love seeing kids smiling, and that touches my heart and motivates me to work hard in this position.

I like traveling with family in my free time and I wish to travel a lot in and out of my country.

I am Chup Sokhoeun, a former kindergarten teacher at Kravann Primary school. Now I am the kindergarten coordinator at Caring for Cambodia. I  have been working with CFC for 10 years. I like this job very much because it is a job that helps solve social problems and I am happy. In my free time, I enjoy bringing my family to do exercise and reading storybooks to my children.

My name is Suy Mealea, I am a Pre-School coordinator. I am working on training the pre-school assistant about children's development lessons, first aid, hygiene, disability, gender equity, etc. I have been working with CFC for 10 years.  CFC has given me a lot of opportunities to participate in workshops as well as many training courses so that I have gained new knowledge to conduct my job. 

I enjoy my work because the pre-school program educates the parents and children in the community to get new knowledge and apply to daily life with their family. 

In my free time, I do housework, read books, watch TV, and take my kids to relax at the river.