UnionAID, with partners, the Khmer Farmer Products (KFP) in Cambodia, the Participatory Development Knowledge Agency (PAKA) in the Lao PDR and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are excited to welcome the first cohort of the Cambodia Laos Young Leaders Programme 2024
Kakveidontrey Pich (Dontrey)
Battambang, Cambodia – HelpAge Cambodia
As Communication and Advocacy Lead at HelpAge Cambodia, Dontrey is focused on addressing the challenges faced by older people and promoting intergenerational dialogue.
Dontrey graduated from the National University of Battambang with a Master’s degree in Governance and Public Policy. His main interests include community development, youth empowerment, and research on digital inclusion. He values peer-supervised learning, making new friends, and cross-cultural learning.
Through the Cambodia Laos Young Leaders Programme, Dontrey wants to explore innovative approaches to community development and advocacy for the digital empowerment of older adults in Cambodia.
Khaisinh Mounh (Khaisinh)
Battambang, Cambodia – WeFarm
Khaisinh is an Information Technology Engineering graduate who is passionate about making a meaningful impact in community development, travel, technology, and social work. He is the CEO and Co-founder of WeFarm, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting people with farming, promoting local products, and fostering agri-tourism in Cambodia. WeFarm’s mission is to create an ecosystem that supports the future of regenerative organic agriculture by empowering the next generation. Through hands-on demonstrations of organic practices and providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs, WeFarm aims to cultivate a thriving community of future farm leaders.
Khaisinh believes in the transformative potential of education and community engagement to drive meaningful change. He finds great fulfillment in training and empowering others, helping them reach their full potential while making a positive impact. He is enthusiastic about leveraging his skills and experiences to further this mission..
Khamphiew Alounxay (Phew)
Houaphan, Laos – Bamboo And NTFPS Development Association
Phew is a proud member of the Khmu ethnic group and hails from Viengkham district in Luang Prabang province, Laos. Phew is currently based in Houaphanh province, where his work focuses on income generation through the bamboo value chain. Phew advocates for eco-friendly solutions that enhance the well-being of vulnerable communities while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
With over nine years of experience in the NGO sector, Phew has been instrumental in advancing sustainable bamboo and non-timber forest product (NTFP) management, particularly within rural and ethnic communities, throughout Laos. His efforts focus on empowering ethnic women and youth through vocational training and sustainable resource management.
Masstos Los (MT)
Stueng Treng, Cambodia – Adventist Development Relief Agency Cambodia (ADRA)
MT comes from Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia. In 2015, she graduated from Norton University with a degree in English teaching. As Gender Officer with ADRA, her role focuses on achieving gender equality and ensuring that women and adolescent girls enjoy their full health rights. This includes addressing community issues such as domestic violence, early school leaving, declining agriculture, migration, and vocational skills for youth.
MT conducts training sessions for youth both in and out of school, as well as for police, health centre staff and other community workers. She facilitates school-based drama programmes and organises gender-transformative community awareness events on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), nutrition, and sex work. She also participates in CoMEAL activities to address SRHR, SGBV, early marriage, and childhood pregnancy.
Onchanh Thammavong
Vientiane Capital, Laos – Association for Rural Mobilisation and Improvement (ARMI)
Onchanh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the National University of Laos and is a dedicated advocate for sustainable development. She empowers rural communities by promoting sustainable livelihoods, protecting the environment through effective resource management, and enhancing resilience against climate change impacts. Her role includes project planning to advance sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) management. These initiatives enhance value chains, support market assessments, prevent deforestation, and mitigate the effects of forest fires.
An important aspect of Onchanh’s role is to assist with securing funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of ARMI’s community work. As a young leader, Onchanh aspires to continue making impactful contributions to community resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Panha Khim
Stueng Treng, Cambodia – Phnom Srey Organisation for Development (PSOD)
Panha is a Programme Officer at Phnom Srey Organisation for Development (PSOD). His main focus is the New Gen project, which promotes youth empowerment and leadership, and involves multiple stakeholders including parents, children, local government and multiple CSOs. New Gen uses the Champions for Cambodia “Plus” module in which youth take positions of responsibility and lead the running of their own child clubs. The project also teaches parents about good parenting practices and positive reinforcement.
Additionally, Panha is involved in the new Child Protection project funded by Plan International, which supports LGBTIQ+ children who face exclusion by family, friends or society. The project works with parents and local government to increase understanding and advocate for LGBTIQ+ children
Phatthana Voutthi (Na)
Luang Prabang, Laos – Wonders International
Na is a dedicated Project Assistant working with an INGO focused on rural development and social enterprise among farmers. His work focuses on enhancing the economic sustainability of rural communities while fostering entrepreneurship among youth in upland areas. He also helps facilitate entrepreneurship training for students in university.
Phatthana graduated in 2023 with a degree in General English from Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang city, Laos. With a strong interest in business and social enterprise, he is passionate about driving positive change and building resilient communities.
Na’s long-term goal is to launch a social enterprise in rural areas. Through CLYLP, he wants to refine his ideas, build a strong international network, and learn from experts and practitioners in the field.
Se Thao (Se)
Vientiane Capital, Laos – Sisterhood for Development Association & Seeds 4 Hope
Se is from the Hmong ethnic group. She is dedicated to self-development, women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality. Her work focuses on promoting youth access to education, and supporting women to access skills training and other scholarships. Networking opportunities and training to establish income-generating initiatives are important aspects of this work, which includes delivering workshops on economics, handicrafts, customer service, and marketing. Through her work with SDA, Se supports other women to gain confidence and status in society.
Se sees CLYLP an important step in her path to becoming a better leader, and increasing her contribution to the sustainable and inclusive development of her community. Through this programme, she aims to boost her confidence in public speaking, networking, and leadership, and to learn more about strategic planning and project management.
Socheat Ly (Jason)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Labor Plus
Jason is a media and communications professional whose work focuses on visual arts, justice advocacy, and social impact in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Jason graduated from the Royal University of Phnom Penh with a degree in Media and Communication. With a strong foundation in both Vietnamese and Cambodian cultures, cultivated in a bilingual household, Jason has spent the last three years specialising in visual communications to create positive social change and raise awareness on key societal issues.
Through his work with Labor Plus, a youth initiative dedicated to making labour rights and law accessible to young employees, Jason uses his skills in communication to deliver labour rights education in a fun and straightforward way, transforming complex legal information into engaging, understandable content. His goal is to deepen his understanding of visual storytelling, and continue advocating for justice by using communication to highlight critical issues that will shape the future of Cambodia.
Sulaphy Phangsuvanh (Phyphy)
Vientiane Capital, Laos – Zero Waste Laos
Phyphy holds a degree in International Relations from the National University of Laos and is an active volunteer supporting educational and environmental initiatives for youth. Currently, she is an awareness and campaigns volunteer with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Team at Zero Waste Laos and has spent the last two years raising awareness about environmental issues and sustainable development among youth across the country.
Phyphy is a member of the Yang ethnic group and comes from Luang Namtha Province in the north of Laos. She strives to be a role model for youth in her rural community and to demonstrate that they can succeed and make a positive impact on society. In 2022, she received a small grant to build the first library in her hometown and provide books to students there. Phyphy is also co-founder of the Facebook page ‘Share Book Share Future’, which provides information about education.