I supported the Sao Sary Foundation (2011-2013) by fundraising and technical review through Groundwork Opportunites from the USA. I led a fundraiser for one of the water wells for a village under the help of Sao Sary Foundation and Vichetr Uon. I also traveled to Cambodia to see the water well being installed in the village. I was very impressed by the organization led by Vichetr. I also was very impressed by the system he created to protect Cambodians at risk for human trafficking; including the very cool cafe/hotel that many of those at risk could work within. Best to all!
How can I express my feeling for SSF? SSF is more than my partner in community, SSF is my learning center of real rural development.
SSF drives me into a very deep understanding of community need. Its activities allowing to learn how to manage my personal time with community. Being as an active participant with SSF, I have created a successful story of leading my community team to Set up their own framework, timeline, and key performance indicator.
I develop myself from doing complex thing with small impact to do simple thing but bigger and bigger impact to Cambodia. My mission with SSF as like as mission with Cambodia for future development of Cambodia.
Leadership is a very important key result I achieved from SSF, I change myself to be a better leader for my community and country. From being a better leadership, I have learned how is nonprofit works for community and what is real nonprofit work means to me.
The founder of SSF teaches thousands of people to learn what is real life and real need in life. I learned what is my real need and need to make it real.
Real need will happen after real activities, it will happens unless we do it. SSF develop rural area by doing the real activities.
I visited SSF project at Ktum Krang, Kampong Speu, I proud of SSF to make it happen from a bottom class of all commune in Kampong Speu to be a trop grade one. Imagine if it is going to happen at every commune of Cambodia. How success the community is?
I would take this opportunity to say thank you so much for allowing me to join and learn with SSF. I would be very happy to continue my participant with SSF.
I have stayed a few days at the compound where Sao Sary hosts children in danger of being trafficked. They are fed, have to attend school, and they are taught basic business skills to have a sustainable life after they leave the program. Most of them speak some English as well. I see one of the unique strengths of the Foundation is that it takes the preventive approach to human trafficking. Rather than rehabilitating victims (which is a worthy goal, no doubt), its mission is to prevent trafficking before it happens by helping not just children but families on which they depend to climb out of poverty. It mayb be harder to measure and get grants for "preventive" programs but to me it makes sense as the most humane way of trying alleviate suffering. The founder, Vetcher, is very experienced in the matter, candid, and honest. His personal qualifications strengthen the image of the organization. I think preventing human trafficking is hugely important and it is such a shame that we still have in existence human slavery.
I meet Vichetr for the first time in Phnom Penh, when he explained to me about his organization and the work he's doing. It seemed so interesting and unique that i decided to spend a weekend at Sao Sary Foundation in the town of Kampong Speu. Upon my arrival I already felt the warmth of the kids who live at the compound. Vichetr took me to rural area where he runs projects with the poorest of the poor. He has been able to make a lot of improvement on the lives of those people. Unfortunatelly there are still so much more that needs to be done and improved. These families, despite their hard work, live in extreme poverty. I was exposed to a very different lifestyle than what i have experienced in the capital city of Phnom Pehn. Back in the compound I could observe how dedicated Vichet is with his organization, working all day, weekends, nights, almost non-stop. Thanks the this hard work he has managed to protect many kids from exploitation, violence or discrimination. And he has done a great job, the kids are really smart, sweet and motivated.
Hi Folks Ive just spent the last year, 2008 traveling the world meeting wonderful people and doing things most of my family and friends will only ever dream of Skydiving, Climbing Volcano’s, Scuba diving the Barrier Reef ,Exploring Deserts and Rain forests doing so so much ,but… hmmm there is a but the one thing I did that gave me the most joy, the most self satisfaction was working with a wonderful guy who as a heart of Gold I met Vichetr the Director of SSF Cambodia by chance and Im eternally grateful for the soul searching experience I gained and memories tenfold that will live with me and anyone who knows me forever ,Vichetr as dedicated his life to helping the poorest of the poor and saving children from all forms of abuse, child labor, violence, Prostitution. Etc , Kids end up selling there Virginity to low lifes for Pennies and the younger they are the more they can get…sorry your imagination wont cover it …. not because they want to or because its the easy way out ..nothing is, we have so many Orphans ,one parent Family’s Etc Fathers dieing from Aids leaving there wife’s suffering and trying to care for there children ,sex education is some what scarce let alone expensive treatment and the only commodity they have left is there children…they are fighting to stay alive having lived through hell themselves under a Despot no one seems to want to remember I visited the Killing fields I cried more during my short time here than the whole of my life put together….England..America stop fighting wars no one wants and start helping people You have so far and are still ignoring…Oops sorry we dont have any Oil does that make a difference?….please sir may I have some more……food medicine education, Im going back soon ….sadly all I can give now is my time but thats the most important thing we can give Children…If you cant I understand ,we all have a role in life So just make a donation …dont worry if its only small it all helps a couple of Dollars will buy a school Uniform and save that child from going in another direction or finding an excuse…you know kids… its really that simple , and I tell you when you see the results of your actions the smiles will live with you for ever and the feel good factor is just fantastic Warmest Regards Michael (Mickey) Savage A SSFCambodia friend
My experience with the Sao Sary Foundation was life changing. I lived at the SSF compound for about two weeks, experiencing life with the SSF community and documenting the work of the organization in order to compile the 2009 Annual Report, which highlights the good work they are doing. SSF is unique in the fact that it takes a preventive approach to preventing human trafficking and exploitation in Kampong Speu Province of Cambodia - trying to protect the lives of the poor and vulnerable before it becomes too late. Another thing that makes this organization stand out is the opportunities it offers for volunteers. Vichetr Uon, the founder and executive director is a forward thinking man, who is always looking for new ways to improve his organization. The ideas of those who choose to volunteer are carefully considered, and often implemented. SSF is still a small NGO seeking to expand, but without the continued support of both donors and volunteers, it becomes nearly impossible to make an impact in such an impoverished place. However, it doesn't take a lot of money to offer a fresh start to some of the worlds most vulnerable people. Overall, the experience was amazing. If you're ever in Cambodia, get in touch with Vichetr - it will be worth your while!
I am Founder/Executive Director of SSF. SSF is an organization working to help absolute poor families in the Cambodia's poorest communities to prevent their children in need of special care to avoid them from all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse against, including sexual commercial, child trafficking, child labor and child marriage. I was graduated bachelor degree Science from a private university named Norton University. Since i passed my high school, i begin my job with a nonprofit section and so far i earned about eleven years experience working with the nonprofit fields either full-time employment and consultancy works. Those starting from my first job was National Election Investigator with COFEL in the 1999 Cambodian election, worked with World Food Programme in position of Field Team Surveyor for Commune Investment Baseline on Gender Participation 45days field survey, worked with SERRC over one year in position of head of education section supporting to poor students in Cambodia, worked with AFESIP, an organization works to fight against trafficking on women and children, in position of statistics officer one year and over three years with position of Head of Statistics and Planning department that made me every professional and solid background and experience working on field of human trafficking in Cambodia especially on women and children. I also worked at Norton University as Computer Science lecturer at evening session more than two years, worked for UNICEF Cambodia and Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth rehabilitation (MoSVY) in position of Child Protection Technical Advisor one year projected contract and another two years at Church World Service Cambodia in position of Reporting and Proposal Development Officer. Moreover, besides of fulltime work I have many short-terms contracts with World Bank, Seila/PLG, Care Cambodia, CRC, and American Red Cross in position of freelance consultant. I and my group established the Sao Sary Foundation in the early 2006 and I reply myself as founder and executive