News
May 2024
On May 5th, the core team organized a seminar for the students and alumni as a platform to introduce the new organization of Studaid Cambodia. Teacher Kosal and Chris highlighted Studaid's Achievements since 2018. Subsequently, Nisai (alumni) and Phally (alumni) explained Studaid's vision and mission, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the organization’s goals.
After a brief break, Omuoy HEANG, owner and CEO of ADITI, delivered an inspiring speech. She shared her journey from being the daughter of a simple family in the province to becoming an entrepreneur and CEO of an internationally active IT company. Students listened attentively and asked questions about points on their own career development.
Rany (alumni) concluded the presentation block by discussing time management, emphasizing its importance and practical implementation. At the end of the event, Teacher Kosal was honored with a certificate of appreciation and gifts for his significant role and commitment to Studaid over the past 6 years.
Afterwards participants enjoyed dinner at a Cambodian BBQ restaurant, providing an opportunity to further exchange ideas and network. Overall, the Studaid event was a successful day filled with inspiration, knowledge sharing, and a sense of community that will remain in the participants’ memories. 🌟📚🤝
March 2024
Publication of our STUDAID Annual Report 2023 on what has been achieved so far, highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2024.
October 2023
A charity event by the STUDAID student community took place today at Prey Dangkum Primary School in Angkor Village, Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. Furniture and blackboards for two classrooms as well as ten small trees were donated. Many thanks to the STUDAID students who made the event possible, as well as for the friendly support of La Pizza Buona in Altstetten, the S. Hahnemann School and the sponsor of a STUDAID student.
It's nice to see how committed our students and alumni are and remain even after their studies :-)
Juni 2023
On June 3rd, the graduation ceremony of Sreykeo, Thida and Holida for their degree in English in ACE took place. Congratulation to the good results!
Mai 2023
On May 15, 2023 our two alumni SamAn and Nisai got married. Congratulations! We wish the couple all the best for their future!
On May 1st, studaid students came to the kitchen for street children, LRDE to help with the cooking and food distribution and then to play with the children.
April 2023
On 8th/9th April, 25 Studaid students and alumni went with Kosal and Chris on an off-site weekend to Kampot, visiting Bokor Mountain and spent a night in al little Inn at the sea. The topic of the off-site was to discussed how Studaid could continue after Norbert, Beat and Chris retire from active work at the end of 2024. The Studaid family quickly agreed that they would take matters into their own hands and continue to support students for both, as mentors and financially, at the best of their ability. This was further discussed during the trip. In a final all hands session the details needed for a local continuation were discussed. At least initially, financial support from Switzerland shall be continued, so the local support can be established and but on a sound base. The alumni plan a get together, to discuss and agree on how they want to organize themselves with tasks and responsibilities.
Once the organization and the implementation-concept are in place, the responsible persons for administrative tasks will be trained and supported by Kosal and the Swiss team. This support shall be ongoing during 2024. This should allow the hand over most of the operational work by the end of 2024.
In order to continue with tax-privileged donations from Switzerland, we are still looking for people who are ready to take on the remaining tasks, such as fundraising, bank transfers and annual financial statements for the audit. Since this only takes a small amount of time, it might well be possible to find people who are ready to join Studaid in Switzerland. Beat, Norbert and Chris have also agreed to continue helping with fundraising.
The excursion was also an opportunity to take many individual and group photos, including those of our graduates their graduation robes.
The off-site was largely financed by donations of La Pizza Buona in Zurich - many thanks!
March 2023
Publication of our 2022 Annual Report on achievements so far, highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2023.
December 2022
From September to December 2022, Chris was in Phnom Penh on a Swisscontact Senior Expert Corps assignment.
This gave him the opportunity to meet and chat with most of the STUDAID students in person.
It was very special that he was able to personally attend the graduation ceremony of NUM for Phally, Rany and Sina officially for bachelor and Sina also for master.
Unfortunately, the planned weekend excursion with the entiry STUDAID Family in a camping resort in the mountains of Pursat had to be cancelled. But 29 students and Kosal gathered for the farewell dinner with Chris.
On December 6th we were again able to surprise the children of the Restaurant des Enfants (LRDE) with oranges, peanuts and sweets. The celebration was underlined with a Santa Claus and slightly modified, with games that are usually played during the Cambodian New Year and Christmas songs. This and lunch for 250 children was made possible by donations for general activities. Many thanks to the generous Sponsors.
October 2022
Many exams took place in September and October. We are very happy about the successful completion of their studies: Phally and Rany (Master), Sam An, Chanty, Savat, Thida, Holida and Sophea (Bachelor). We congratulate you very much and wish you much success and joy in your further professional life!
News from Cambodia from the local STUDAID program manager Kosal
We are pleased to give you an overview of the most important news in this newsletter, which this time our program manager Kosal in Phnom Penh has summarized.
August 2022
Our student Sina, who has already successfully completed his Master's degree, had the idea to organize a charity project for the Tompong Primary School in his village. As it is a goal of STUDAID that our students give something back to society, the idea was supported by all STUDAID students and the management team. The goal of the project was to not only donate notebooks and pens, but to do a workshop with the primary school students on the topic "Protecting the Environment".
Although the students are very busy with their studies at university, English classes and work, they took time to meet online to discuss and propose ideas for the project. They also met face-to-face on 30st July to plan how to organize the STUDAID donation of goods and to prepare a lesson on how to keep the environment clean, especially how to treat plastic garbage.
On August 27th the time had come. With 612 reading books, 2 trash cans, 300 notebooks and 30 plants, the STUDAID students took the bus to Tompong Primary School in Kampongspeu province. The school has 610 students for whom there were not many reading books in the school library.
Three groups of STUDAID students taught three classes of elementary school students how to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic items.
All elementary school students were very happy about what they had learned and cleaned the school grounds and planted trees. The elementary school students raised their hands and happily pledged to use plastic water refill bottles as much as possible to participate in reducing, reusing and recycling for a cleaner environment. They presented banners about the impact and recycling of plastics.
The principal, teachers and students of Tompong Primary School were very satisfied with the fundraising lesson. They hope that STUDAID and its students will continue to support them with more school supplies to promote the reading habits of the elementary school students and to maintain a clean, green environment in the school and its communities.
The contribution of the participating STUDAID students to improving education in Cambodia was recognized with a certificate of recognition for a good project.
The 18 STUDAID students enjoyed participating in the first educational and environmental project, which is a very valuable experience for them - also thanks to the support of STUDAID sponsors (especially "La Pizza Buena" in Albisrieden) in Switzerland.
This shows a good culture of sharing and helping each other, not only internationally but also nationally. STUDAID looks forward to continuing to contribute to the community, society and country with more charitable projects in the years to come.
Aug 2022
We are very happy that we were able to win a sponsor for Sokkun. The sponsor is a manager in Phnom Penh. Thank you very much!
July 2022
We are very happy that we were able to win a sponsor from Cambodia for Sreynit. The sponsor, a successful entrepreneur in Phnom Penh, has previously sponsored a student in our program. Thank you very much!
March 2022
We are very happy to have found a sponsor and mentor for Chanty. Thank you very much for your support! In addition to his studies, Chanty volunteers to fight plastic waste. As an assistant designer in a small group, he designs various garments from waste in order to recycle them and thereby avoid waste.
Publication of our Annual Report 2021 on what we have achieved so far, the highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2022.
December 2021
This year too, Santa Claus is among the children of the street children's kitchen "Les Restaurant Des Enfants" came and was able to distribute nuts and fruits thanks to donations. The children were very happy about it. Especially because he played with them and was so funny. We are also very happy to hear these children laugh and to see how happy they are at this moment. Our students were there again and helped organize everything and help distribute it.
November 2021
The LRDE, the kitchen for street children in Phnom Penh, has been open again this week. However, only for 50 children at the same time, as caution is still required in Cambodia because of the pandemic. Therefore, they still distribute food in the poor neighborhoods of Phnom Penh. For this, our student Sreykeo buys 200 kg of mango for STUDAID every week, which is then distributed to the children.
Our alumni Nisai, who did his bachelor's degree in 2019 and has been working as a business software engineer for two years, started his master’s degree on November 1st. His sponsor at the time has agreed to support Nisai financially again and we are very happy that Nisai has the opportunity to continue studying. On behalf of Nisai and STUDAID, we say THANK YOU!
October 2021
On October 17th, despite heavy rain in Cambodia, which greatly affects the quality of internet services, we were able to hold an online seminar with 16 students on the topic "How to pass your job interview successfully". In the end, the investment of university and in improving English skills is only worthwhile if the students can use their skills to perform well in the job market. They don't learn that at home or at university.
What is special about this seminar: two students, Phally and Rany, prepared and hold the seminar with the support of Kosal and Norbert. Our goal is that the students who have completed their studies gradually take more and more responsibility for the STUDAID program.
It's Pchum Ben again - one of the most important religious festivals in Cambodia. Our students Thida and Holida took photos and recorded them in a small video. In addition, they wrote the following text:
Pchum Ben is the most remarkable national rite in Cambodia. This rite is held when the moonlight becomes less until dark. It is the month of Pheak Trabot ( September, October). The festival lasts fifteen days, from one Roach to fifteen Roach. Pchum Ben is the meaning full festival referring to once when Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was afraid of senility and death. Buddha left the palace and had no food for six month. He become weaker and weaker, so he resumed to eat from Miss Socheata. We celebrate Pchum Ben in order to dedicate to the souls of our ancestors, relative, friends who had gone to an other world or to make up national unity. Every year, we always have Pchum Ben holiday for three days.
August 2021
At the end of July, the Cambodian government’s national vaccination drive for adults had already reached 71% of its target for the year, and the campaign to reach 12 to 17 year old's kicked off on August 1.
As reported earlier, LRDE, the kitchen for street children in Phnom Penh, can't cater its 300 little customers every day in its restaurant, for pandemic reasons. Since mid March 2020, they are bringing food to the children and families in the poorest neighborhoods. STUDAID supports this with monthly donations of fruits.
When we found out in February that the food was being distributed in plastic bags (~ 4000 per month) and that this would pollute the environment even more, we looked for a better solution and found it in biodegradable bags made of Casava starch. Now we support LRDE in the change to this bags by sponsoring the additional costs compared to normal plastic bags.
Our students are already thinking about how they could help LRDE to further reduce waste.
July 2021
Our alumni Nisai has finally received his bachelor's degree. Via Facebook he thanked everyone who supported him in achieving his goal.
June 2021
On the occasion of the International Children's Day on June 1st, our students supported the LRDE in distributing food and small gifts to the children in the slums.
May 2021
In Phnom Penh, the first students receive the corona vaccination. We are happy and grateful that this is possible there so quickly.
April 2021
The number of people infected with COVID-19 is increasing in Cambodia. A tough lockdown has been there for days: the shops are closed, neighborhoods are cordoned off, soldiers guard the barricades. Food such as meat, fish, vegetables and eggs are becoming more expensive or are no longer available. It is a very difficult time for our students, as some companies also close and they cannot work and earn money.
Even though they are used to online classes, they find it difficult to study alone in their room. Therefore, they try to work through the learning material together, to discuss it and to solve tasks via video call.
Our program manager Kosal also conducted the first online Zoom seminar on the subject of "To be better learners at school" with the students to discuss tips and tricks, to find the right learning style and to motivate them. They can also always find help in the STUDAID Community.
Two other students, Kanda and Va, are happy about their new laptop. And our program manager Kosal also needed a new laptop. Our alumni Nisai, who works in the IT industry, got the laptops and installed the necessary software.
March 2021
Publication of our Annual Report 2020 on what we have achieved so far, the highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2021.
The two new STUDAID community members, Sokkheng and Panha, are happy to be able to work with the laptop they just received.
February 2021
Today, our Program Manager Kosal informed us that the Covid-19 situation in Phnom Penh has worsened. Therefore the universities and schools will unfortunately be closed again until March 8th. Classes will take place online again. Our students have gained a lot of experience with online schooling by now. However, our three new students do not yet have a laptop, which they urgently need. The cost per laptop is CHF 370. Donations are very welcome, for which we thank you very much! Our alumni student Nisai will then help the young students to install the required software.
We are very happy to have found a sponsor and mentor for Maryma. Thank you very much for your support!
January 2021
We are very pleased that Yieur was able to successfully complete her Bachelor's degree in Finance & Accounting. Congratulations! She received the result on her birthday and she sent us the photo below. At the same time, she managed to get a job in a bank. She is now very much looking forward to her new challenge. Many thanks also to her sponsor, without whom she would not have been able to finance her studies!
We are very happy to have found a sponsor and mentor for Kanda. Thank you very much for your support!
With donations from Switzerland, our students have again bought and distributed fruit for the children of the LRDE. The children were very happy and recorded a short video message.
December 2020
Our students went to great lengths to thank their sponsors for their support. So they met and made, painted and written Christmas cards. Thank you!
We are very happy that the Rotary Club of Zofingen once again supports a student. Thus Panha can continue his studies. Thank you very much for your support!
For the childen in Switzerland 6th of December is a meaningful special day. We celebrate the memory of the charitable St. Nicolaus, who used to bring fruit and nuts to the well behaving children. (Naughty children would not get anything but words of discipline 😉).
Due to Covid-19 lockdown measures the kitchen for street- and underprivileged children LRDE cannot serve food to their young clients. Yet the working teenagers of LRDE (some of them also STUDAID students) bring food the slums for the kids and their families. In memory of Santa clause, STUDAID donated oranges, green beans and sugar, which was distributed to 300 kids in the slums on 7th and 8th of December.
Thank you LRDE and our STUDAID students, Sreymey, Sreykeo, SamAn and Sokkhim for helping with organizing and distributing!
Due to new Covid-19 infections, the universities and schools in Phnom Penh will remain closed for another two weeks.
We are very pleased to have found a sponsor and mentor for Sreyden. Thank you very much for your support!
November 2020
Unfortunately, due to new Covid-19 infections, the universities and schools in Phnom Penh will be closed for two weeks (start from 9.11.20).
We are very happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Va. Thank you very much for the support!
October 2020
On 1st October, finally the kitchen for street children LRDE could be reopened after 6 month of lockdown. For the time being, 50 children will be served food at the same time until the Corona situation gets even better. With this our weekly donation of 15 kg of meat per week was resumed as well.
Publication of our newsletter October 2020.
September 2020
In September, Cambodian families celebrated Pchum Ben, one of the most important religious festivals in Cambodia. To give our sponsors an inside in this tradition, Phally has written a document where she explains the meaning and rituals.
August 2020
The universities and English schools in Cambodia are still not providing face-to-face teaching, but still offer online lessons. This continues to be a major challenge for both students and teachers. Not only is the internet connection sometimes of low quality, but also the learning process sometimes takes longer. Yet, our students are still motivated and try very hard to be creative and support each other, despite the difficult framework conditions. Two examples:
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Thida and Holida, our two math students, teach math to our two high school students Sreymey and Sreykeo (see photo) and Samphas, who studies physics, gives them physics extra lessons. One of the STUDAID program goals is that the students give back to society, for example by supporting and helping each other. We are happy to see that STUDAID students take this seriously.
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We encourage our students and support them to become active as entrepreneurs. Master's student Phally told us at the last video call that she and a colleague have opened a web shop for second-hand clothes. The dresses are presented online on Facebook. As part of the service, Phally personally brings the purchased clothes to the customer; that costs extra and secures the next tank of fuel for the moped. In addition to her job in the marketing department of a shopping center, Phally can also try out her entrepreneurial talent and earn a few additional dollars.
Unfortunately, we also must report about the "dropout" of a student. Sreyphea stopped following her studies. At the beginning of the Corona period, when all universities were closed and she had little work and income in the hotel she worked, she went to her relatives in the province. She did not take part in the online lessons from there. Our Program Manager Kosal tried to contact her several times. Unfortunately, without a response. With this behavior Sreyphea has broken the STUDAID Charter Agreement and we unfortunately had to stop our support. We are very sorry, also for her Swiss sponsor Marc, who supported Sreyphea from the start and was in constant contact with her via email and video.
June 2020
It is a great pleasure for us that we have a sponsor from Cambodia in the STUDAID program who will support Sophea. The sponsor, a successful entrepreneur in Phnom Penh, was Norbert's client during his volunteer assignment in Phnom Penh in autumn 2017. Thank you very much!
While in Switzerland we slowly return to normal and reopen schools, in Cambodia most universities are still closed. Online teaching is a particular challenge and students are not always able to participate. On the one hand, because the internet connections are sometimes very bad (especially in the countryside when students are with their families) and on the other hand, because students have to learn how to use their laptops, internet and the necessary software first. And...when it rains, the raindrops patter so loudly on the tin roofs that you hardly understand anything. Unfortunately, business in Cambodia has also come to a standstill. Therefore, many students can't work as much as usual and thus earn less money. All the more we are happy to know how big the support of our sponsors is. Some of our students needed a new laptop, which they could not finance from their own money. Therefore, we asked the respective sponsors. We are touched how generously, quickly and uncomplicatedly this financial support was provided and would like to thank them again - also in the name of the students!
May 2020
Due to Corona protection, the kitchen for street children LRDE, which usually serves 250 to 300 meals daily, had to close in mid-March. To ensure that their "customers", the underprivileged children and their families, were fed in this time, food donations were distributed directly to the slums. For his "round" birthday, Chris' two goddaughters, Sreymean and Sokkhim, together with LRDE and many STUDAID students, organized a distribution campaign for rice, beans and Khmer cakes (sweet rice in a banana leaf) and, after work, a small birthday party for all helpers (see the video that has been produced from the action). A huge thank you to everyone involved for their commitment and support on this day.
April 2020
It is a great pleasure for us that the Rotary Club Muttenz Wartenberg supports our program and will sponsor a student, Samphas, for 4 years. A member of the Rotary Club Muttenz Wartenberg has agreed to mentor the student. Thank you very much!
We are pleased that the English schools that the majority of our students attend are now offering online classes. This is new for our students and takes some getting used to. Nevertheless, we motivate them to keep going. Since they don't have a university, they have more time to learn the English language, which is extremely important.
March 2020
Publication of our Annual Report 2019 on what we have achieved so far, the highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2020.
Also in Cambodia all universities and schools are closed because of the coronavirus. Please follow the instructions to protect yourself and others and to stop the spread of the virus.
The street children's kitchen "Les Restaurant des Enfants", which STUDAID supports, has put up a board with our logo. Sreykeo and Sreymey, our two high school students who help in the street children's kitchen, and we in Switzerland are very happy about this.
February 2020
Norbert, Juliane and their son Timo travelled to Cambodia in February. On their first stop in Siem Reap, they came by a frozen yogurt stand. Talking to the young vendors, it turned out that they were students of www.cambodiaruralstudentstrust.org organization, an NGO founded by Australians. The organization works similarly to STUDAID. The frozen yogurt stand, called "Project Y", is one of their projects. While enjoying fine frozen yogurt, Norbert and his family had a very interesting exchange with these happy and highly motivated students.
The trip then went on to Phnom Penh to meet with the STUDAID students and NHEK Kosal, the program manager on site. A special dinner was held for the STUDAID alumni, the eight students who have already graduated or will graduate within the next few months. This dinner was not only a celebration of their success, but also an event to consider how these students can contribute to the STUDAID program in the long term. It was very impressive and positive to see the students discussing on who could do what and communicating their decision to Norbert and NHEK Kosal. A goal of STUDAID that the students help others, becomes a reality.
As always, a visit to the street children's kitchen "Les Restaurant Des Enfants" was not to be missed. This time STUDAID donated 240 kg of meat for the children. The first part of the delivery was handed over during the visit. Our student Sam An, who also works in the street children's kitchen herself, created a special poster for this event.
To see the home village of one of the students, the path led four hours away from Phnom Penh to the countryside. This provided an opportunity for Norbert’s family to get an impression of how the families live, to talk to them and also to attend the primary school in this village. Always in Norbert’s luggage where some treats "Basler Leckerli" which he distributed to the children.
Another highlight was the meeting with all STUDAID students. All but two students were able to participate. Our Cambodian trustee, lawyer KONG Sochet and the program manager NHEK Kosal were also present. At a Cambodian BBQ, everyone enjoyed the evening with interesting conversations and took lots of souvenir photos!
 Project Y - a frozen yogurt stand of the NGO Cambodia Rural Students Trust |  Our first eight students who have already graduated or will graduate within the next months |  STUDAID students discuss how to contribute the STUDAID program |
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 STUDAID donation of 240 kg meat for "Les Restaurant Des Enfants" |  Our STUDAID student Sam An created a special poster |  Mr. Chhiv, founder of the street children's kitchen, explains to Norbert the first part of delivery, listed on a blackboard |
 Sreykeo helps in the kitchen "Les Restaurant Des Enfants" |  Norbert distributes bread to the children |  The family house of our student Phally |
 All-in-one: living room, dining room, bed room |  Phallys family |  Norbert's family attends primary school |
 Norbert distributes Swiss cookies to the children |  BBQ with STUDAID students |  Samphas, Thida und Holida - we are still looking for a sponsor for Samphas :-) |
 Norbert with Daneth, Sreykeo, Sam An, Sreymey |  Sina and Phally |  A little present from Switzerland |
 Sreykeo and Sreymean |  Rany and Sreymey |  The students surprise Kosal with a birthday cake |
 Timo also networks with the students |  (Almost) all students, NHEK Kosal and KONG Sochet |
January 2020
Unfortunately we have had our first dropout from the STUDAID program; Oudom, who was part of our program since February 2019. Regrettably, he did not visit university and English class regularly and thus broke the charter agreement that we sign with all students at onboarding into our program. After talking to Oudom and explaining the consequences, he promised to go back to his studies and signed a corresponding agreement. Yet still, he broke the rules again. Therefore the STUDAID program management, together with the local manager in Phnom Penh, NHEK Kosal, decided to stop supporting him and to take him out of the STUDAID program. We are very sorry for Oudom, who initially studied hard, but also for our sponsor, to whom we are very grateful for supporting Oudom financially to allow him the opportunity to go attend university. We can only learn from such cases and it also shows, how important local support and supervision is.
December 2019
Publication of our fourth STUDAID newsletter.
We would like to thank the Church Care of St. Joseph, Horgen, who are covering the costs for the local STUDAID Program Manager in Phom Penh, NHEK Kosal, for one year. Kosal will supervise the currently 22 students and is responsible for the STUDAID seminars. His work is very valuable for our program.
November 2019
Schule Wehntal has sold their aged computer equipment and generously donated the proceeds to STUDAID. We thank the Schule Wehntal, its leadership and its board.
October 2019
We are happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Sovanny and Holida. Thank you very much for your support!
Our team gets reinforcement: With Beat Waldmeier we could not only win a sponsor & mentor for a student, he will be the contact person for our sponsors & mentors in the future and actively maintain the sponsor community. We are very happy and say "Welcome to the team"!
September 2019
It is a great pleasure for us that the Rotary Club Zofingen supports our program and will sponsor a student, Ya, for 4 years. A member of the Rotary Club Zofingen has agreed to mentor the student. Thank you very much!
August 2019
Publication of our third STUDAID newsletter.
June 2019
Nisai is our first student to have completed his studies; he graduated in June and has already found a permanent position with a young IT company. We are very proud of our first alumni, who worked hard to reach this goal. We wish him the very best in his new career and are certain that he is a helpful support for our younger students with IT problems and that he will be an excellent ambassador for the STUDAID program.
One goal has been achieved: 20+2 students are currently being supported by you! Why 20+2? The «2» are special cases Sreymey and Sreykeo who still attend high school, but are in dire need of sponsorship in order to complete those studies. «20» are all students who can study at the university thanks to the support of their STUDAID sponsors.
May 2019
Through a fundraising campaign on the occasion of her birthday, S.B. made it possible for us to finance Channa's studies in 2019 and a few months in 2020. Many thanks to S.B. and all her guests who donated! Thus not only the birthday wish of S.B. came true, but also Channa's wish to study - she is very happy!
We are happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Thida. Thank you very much for your support!
April 2019
We are happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Savat. Thank you very much for your support!
Chris spent several weeks in Phnom Penh in March/April. Besides the many meetings with our Program Manager NHEK Kosal and conversations with our students, we held the second event of this year for the STUDAID and PGH students. When we asked them about a year ago, what topics they would like to see us cover in our seminars, the most common answer was "soft skills; things we don't learn at university". To follow the path, after "The Power of Self-Leadership", this seminar was about "Find a Good Job and Work with Passion". Things to consider when applying for a job, what to expect from the job market and how to best navigate the application process are soft skills which are not only important, but crucial tools to help equip our students in the best possible way for their professional future.
HRInc - the largest HR service provider in Cambodia - graciously provided us with two experts on these topics; SUY Sokha, Manager Recruiting and DOEUK Chamnan, Team Leader in Recruiting. After a brief introduction by Chris to the importance of passion for one's profession for success and a happy life alike, they engaged the students interactively to teach them how to navigate their job search and the application process. Our sincerest thanks to HRInc Cambodia!
After the event, students and speakers enjoyed great food and conversation at an excellent BBQ. We are happy to report, that we had more than a successful seminar to celebrate: Nisai is our first student who completed his studies; he graduated this month and has already found a permanent position with a young IT company. We are extremely proud of our first alumni, who has worked hard to reach these important milestones. We wish him the very best in his new career and are certain that he will be an excellent ambassador for the STUDAID program.
Thanks again to all involved and thank you, as always, to our sponsors who help us make these things possible!
 The students are looking forward to the seminar |  Chris opens the second STUDAID seminar this year with the topic "Find a Good Job and Work with Passion" |  Ms. SUY Sokha speaks to the students... |
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 ...who listen attentively... |  Mr. DOEUK Chamnan explains what the CV is all about... |  Ein Gruppenfoto von unseren Studenten und NHEK Kosal, die am Seminar teilgenommen haben |
 ...and write it down diligently... |  ...and which information is important |  After the seminar, the students and speakers enjoyed an excellent BBQ |
March 2019
We are glad to hear, that the contact between Dany and Sampada / Markus is well established so that they can video call directly in the future. This is a relief for us.
Publication of our Annual Report 2018 on what we have achieved so far, the highlights, challenges, finances and outlook for 2019.
We are happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Oudom. Thank you very much for your support!
![IMG_6776[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e924ce_57c6196557484b889822ded721d1851e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_128,h_139,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_6776%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
We are happy that we have found a sponsor and mentor for Rany. Thank you very much for your support!
From 21.2.-1.3. Norbert travelled to Phnom Penh. A highlight of his stay was a seminar with all students regarding "The Power of Self-Leadership". All the students were very interested and attentively followed what Norbert had to say. Our Progam Manager NHEK Kosal was able to translate into the national language, because it is still difficult for most students to understand everything in English or to express themselves in English. Norbert has also started to sweat - but more so because of the high temperatures in the university's non-air-conditioned auditorium. During his stay he also conducted several interviews with students together with NHEK Kosal. Also important were various meetings with the Program Manager to discuss further cooperation, to optimize movement sequences, to give instructions so that the processes can be designed as efficiently as possible. Even though we are in very good contact with Kosal via monthly video calls and exchange information via e-mail, the on-site meetings are very enriching and necessary.
The program also included a visit to the street kitchen for children "Le Restaurant des Enfants". Here more than 200 children are fed, washed and brought to school every day before they go back to their families (often to the slums) in the evening. Thanks to a donation campaign by icommit in December 2018, we were able to donate 1,200 kg of rice to the children. The joy was enormous.
 The STUDAID students are happy about the support of the Lions Club Oerlikon |  STUDAID seminar with Norbert regarding "The Power of Self-Leadership" |  Norbert explains in Englisch |
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 NHEK Kosal translates into Khmer |  During the STUDAID seminar, work was also done in groups w |  The management of the Frangipani Hotel, in which some of the STUDAID students work and in which Norbert has stayed, is enthusiastic about our program and supports it by adapting the working hours to the students' studies |
 Thanks to a donation campaign by icommit, we where able to hand over 1,200 kg of rice to the street kitchen for children |  NHEK Kosal and Norbert present Swiss chocolate to the children |
January 2019
Publication of our second STUDAID newsletter with a review of the last 12 months.
It is a great pleasure for us that the Lions Club Oerlikon supports our program and pays NHEK Kosal, our Program Manager in Phnom Penh, for one year. A big thank you to the Lions Club Oerlikon - also on behalf of NHEK Kosal! In addition, the Lions Club Oerlikon will sponsor a student, Chanty, for 3 years. A member of the Lions Club Oerlikon has agreed to mentor the student. Thank you very much!
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December 2018
For the first time it was possible to win a sponsorship from Cambodia itself! The sponsor, a successful entrepreneur in Phnom Penh, was Norbert's client during his volunteer assignment in Phnom Penh in autumn 2017. We are happy that this closes a circle and we have a sponsor from Cambodia in the STUDAID program and Panha is supported by her.
November 2018
We are happy that we have found two sponsors and mentors for Dany and Yieur and thank you very much for their support!
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October 2018
Publication of our first STUDAID newsletter with the most important milestones of the last 10 months.
August 2018
With Sreymey and Sreykeo and their sponsors, the STUDAID students community is getting a special addition, which we are very happy about.
18-year-old Sreymey is an orphan who dropped out of school in the 9th grade. She has been working at LRDE for two years and helps with cooking and serving food. Her friends and STUDAID were able to motivate her to return to high school and tackle her goal of becoming an English teacher. The spontaneous promise of Petra and her 15-year-old daughter Faye Sreymey to support as sponsor and mentor also motivated Sreymey. At the beginning of August Sreymey passed the final exam for the 9th year of school and so she can continue in November in the 10th year. She shared the great news with Faye herself!
Sreykeo is a 15-year-old half-orphan and has been working on the street with her mother since she was 5 years old. She and her little sister have also been living in the LRDE for 3 years. Since she already speaks English very well, she takes care of volunteers and helps to look after the children. She will be in high school 10th grade with Sreymey starting November. Raquel, who works for a bakery chain in Cambodia, spontaneously volunteered as a sponsor / mentor for Sreykeo. Sreykeo's long-term goal is to find work in tourism, possibly as a tour guide.
We have decided to make an exception to the requirements of the sponsored students, because both show a very high level of commitment to make something of themselves and their lives. If they continue like this, they will surely go a long way.
July 2018
From 6.-14.7., Chris Ramseier traveled to Phnom Penh to get to know the local STUDAID program manager Kosal Nhek and to visit the supported students. The second STUDAID seminar was also an important item on the agenda, in which the student Nisai, among others, passed on his knowledge in the field of computer science to the other students. He trained them on the subject of e-mail communication and other Google applications. This so that the students can get in contact with their sponsors and mentors in this way, for example.
Five students passed the exams and successfully completed their studies. We congratulate Sreymean, Lyhorng, Rany, Sokly and Sina on their Bachelor's degree! Rany and Sina have decided to continue their studies up to the Master's degree. We are very happy that the sponsors of Rany and Sina continue to support them financially and mentally in their studies and would like to express our heartfelt thanks - also on behalf of the students, who are very happy about this and continue to give their best!
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 Already the reception at the airport by the majority of STUDAID students was a great surprise |  On July 7th, STUDAID lawyer Kong Sochet opened her new law firm Heng and Partners with a reception and the dedication of the new premises. |  On the 2nd day we visited the street kitchen of Sreymean's mother at Am Pe Phnom Resort and the temple complex |
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 During the walk there was a lively conversation about the history of the place and the time of the war |  Behind one of the temples is a memorial with bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge |  The second STUDAID seminar took place on July 11 |
 There were animated discussions with and among the students and Nisai, computer science student, gave an introduction to e-mail and other Google applications |  At "Les Restaurant des Enfants" (LRDE), several of the sponsored teenagers help feed up to 250 children a day. During the morning helping out there was plenty of opportunity to talk to them and learn more about their joys, worries and plans |  During the week meetings were held with the local manager Kosal, the trustee Sochet, the STUDAID students and various contacts who are locally involved in the education of young people in Cambodia |
 The STUDAID students also enjoy their work at LRDE |
May 2018
From 11th to 19th February Norbert Lanter flew to Phnom Penh to talk to Kosal Nhek about the role of program manager. We are very happy to have won him over to the STUDAID program, as he is a very important contact person both for us in Switzerland and for the STUDAID students on site. In addition, Norbert conducted interviews with many students and moderated the first STUDAID seminar.
 Kosal Nhek takes over the function of the STUDAID Program Manager |  First meeting with all STUDAID students for whom we have found a sponsor & mentor so far |  First STUDAID get together with all sponsored STUDAID students and the program manager Kosal Nhek |
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 A small present for the students - Swiss chocolate |  STUDAID studenten at "Le Restaurant Des Enfants", where some students work |  Norbert also helps with the food service at "Les Restaurant Des Enfants" - a street kitchen for poor children in Phnom Penh |
 Kosal and some students dropped Norbert at the airport |