Mango Summer 2026

THE CHEF & THE DOCTOR

Two young Cambodian women…..both pictured at work….. one just starting out on her career as a chef, the other a highly regarded doctor of 6 years experience.

Who are these young women?

The Chef is Keo Srey Orn [24] from Pailin, currently studying Catering & Hotel Management in Phnom Penh and the Doctor is Nhor Chamrom [34],  Manager of the Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre in Battambang. You can read their stories here.

What do these young women have in common?

1. Both are from very poor, rural families whose circumstances mean they could never afford to pay for higher education, let alone professional training.
2. Both have been blessed with generous Sponsors from the UK who have stepped up to  support that training.

Why are we telling you this?

Across Cambodia there are so many girls and young women in similar circumstances – bright, hard working, keen to use their ability to support themselves and their families – but quite unable to finance their ambitions.
That is where charities and NGO’s like Support Cambodia can help….
by offering a ‘hand-up’ (not a ‘hand-out’).

Women & Girls Fundraising Campaign – August 2026

• Aylsham Table Top Sale on Saturday 1^st August [see Events below for details].
• Dr Chamrom will be visiting the UK  from 2^nd – 15^th August.  We are delighted to be able to welcome her to the Aylsham area for part of that time and we hope as many of her East Anglian-based friends as possible will be able to meet her. Details will be emailed to locally-based SUPPORTERS nearer the time.
• The immense contribution of Dr Chamrom to our charity will be highlighted in the Autumn issue of Mango to be published in mid-September.

Ahead of the Campaign, our website and social media pages will feature more about our current students (see above photo), what a huge difference sponsorship has made to their lives and how YOUR DONATION to the Campaign will help those starting their courses in October 2026. 
Find us on Facebook here and on Instagram here.

STUDENT STORY

1. Vorn Vansak

“My name is Vansak. I am 20 years old and from Pailin. I have two younger brothers and a sister. My parents are separated and I live with my grandmother who, like my mother, is a farmer. Since 2022, I have been supported by the Marist Brothers in Pailin who have encouraged me to continue studying.  In August I will finish my studies at the Don Bosco Technical School in Phnom Penh and after a 3-month internship and final exam, hopefully I will have my degree in Auto Engineering. I am so grateful to the Marist Brothers and to Support Cambodia for helping me.” Read our student stories here.

FROM THE SUPPORT CAMBODIA BOARD

Annual General Meeting April 2026 – a Resume in Pictures

The Annual General Meeting was held online on Thursday 23^rd April and was attended by 17 people including 3 from Cambodia. There were 27 apologies.

The Financial Report for the year ending March 31^st 2025-6
is available here.

BUSINESS MATTERS

Sponsorship

Once again, huge thanks to our current Administration Sponsors, both Business and Private. Without their support, this charity would be almost impossible to run. The new Sponsorship year begins on October 1^st and we are currently inviting new Sponsors, both Business and Private, to join us.

Prospective Sponsors are asked to contact Katie Maidment at katie@supportcambodia.org.uk or David Pattrick at pattrickdavid@yahoo.co.uk

Collection Tin Holders

In addition to The Tech Geeks [North Walsham] and The Fat Cat Pub [Norwich], we welcome two new tin holders: 

Poppyland Brewery [Cromer] 07729 689037 and The New Forge [Aylsham] 01263 734275 & welcome back Carousel Chocolates [Aylsham 01263 735737. 

All donations go to Support Cambodia projects. Please support these businesses when you can. Thank you. 

MEET THE TEAM

While long-time supporters will be  familiar with the names of our Trustees — there are a number of lesser-known but equally crucial players on both sides of the world who are helping to keep Support Cambodia moving forward. This new feature aims to introduce them to you.

With Katie’s guidance and support, I regularly share stories, photographs, and updates across our Facebook and Instagram channels and our designated WhatsApp Group. These platforms allow us to highlight the impact of your generosity, highlight the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, and celebrate the progress being made through the charity’s projects. Social media is a powerful and cost-effective way for the charity to connect, not only with our current  SUPPORTERS  but also with people who may not be familiar with Support Cambodia. Every day, billions of people use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to access news, information, and inspiring stories. By maintaining an active online presence, Support Cambodia can reach new audiences, raise awareness of the needs of communities in Cambodia, and encourage more people to become involved in our work.

Stay Connected – How You can Help
You can play an important part in helping us spread the word. If you use Facebook or Instagram, please consider following our pages and engaging with our content. Every like, comment, and share helps our messages reach further, introducing Support Cambodia to potential SUPPORTERS across the UK and around the world. Thank you for your ongoing support!” Sonia.

Partnerships

12 months ago, the Summer issue of ‘Mango’ highlighted the benefits of working in partnership with other UK-based groups and organisations who also’ support cambodia’ in a variety of ways, bringing people and ideas together to everyone’s mutual benefit. We invited anyone interested to get in touch…but sadly, with the notable exception of The Rotary Club of Aylsham [thank you John Shenton], there has been no pro-active response from the UK. But in contrast, our Cambodia-based partners continue to be wonderfully supportive: The Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, Karuna Battambang Organisation [KBO] , the Daughters of Charity [Pailin] and a recent contact, the Salesian Sisters [based in Phnom Penh & Battambang].

A huge ‘okoon charen’ to all of them…. and of course, to all our regular contacts in Cambodia, especially in Pailin, Battambang and Siem Reap, without whom Support Cambodia would not be able to operate at all.  

But there was one response, a surprising and very positive one…..from the United States of America!!! As a result of reading the Spring issue of Mango on social media [who says sharing posts doesn’t work!!!!] Silke White, based in Idaho, has been in touch. Silke is Secretary of The Cambodian Village Fund, an American non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Cambodians by expanding access to education and opportunity. And coincidentally, who is on their Board of Directors? None other than the Venerable Vy Sovechea, the Buddhist monk whom Rosemary Downing and I had the pleasure of meeting during the Trustee Visit in January.  The Venerable is also a great friend of Bishop Kike [pronounced ‘keykay’] who leads the Battambang Prefecture !!!

FUNDRAISING & SALES

Two successful and very well supported events in May/June brought in a fantastic total of £813.71 for the Bob Maidment Educational Support Fund.  The Board are indebted to the Social Committee of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Aylsham for hosting  a Coffee Morning with Craft Sale on May 30^th and to SUPPORTER Fran Ludden and her team for braving the appalling weather [ie: no pictures!!]  on June 6^th to sell bric-a-brac, plants and cakes in Aylsham Market Place. Big thanks to all those involved in a magnificent team effort and those who supported the events, both in person or by donation. On behalf of the students in Cambodia who will benefit from your generosity – thank you so much.

EVENTS

Save the dates!

Saturday 1^st August:

Table Top Sale. Aylsham Market Place. 9am – 12 noon. All proceeds to the Women & Girls in Education Campaign [see above]. This Sale will be entirely Cambodian Crafts with our full selection available for sale: scarves in silk & cotton, handmade ‘kromas’, Cambodian ‘elephant’ trousers, purses, puppets and puzzles, elephants in all sizes, giraffes and rabbits, and of course, our unique headscarves – perfect for the current ‘Cambodian-style’ weather!!

Friday 27^th November:

Stall at Aylsham Town Hall [Lights Switch-On] 5pm. Fran Ludden will be selling her traditional selection of hand-crafted, affordable  Christmas items  – definitely not to be missed.

THANKS