I moved to Cambodia for work in June 2014 and was overwhelmed by how friendly people were. Cambodia is super different from the UK and from Namibia and sometimes it can be confusing to know whats going on, where to buy things, or whats appropriate culturally etc. That said, there is always someone to help you out and show you the ropes and all in all life here is pretty good.
Way back in 2014 when I arrived at the airport I was picked up by a couple of new colleagues, taken to my hotel and then out for dinner. Picked up the next day and taken to work so I could be sure where it was and given a really warm welcome from everyone working there. In the first week I was taken out for dinner, helped to buy a bike and when I went to find a permanent house my manager even helped negotiate my contract there.
The Khmer culture is very warm and welcoming and people do their best to make sure everyone is included. The organisation I joined refers to our colleagues as 'family' and once a part of that family always a part. When visitors come to meet us or friends of friends come to stay I have never known a culture who rallies round so much to make sure things go smoothly. So many people have been involved in our organisation over the years I found that mentioning where I was working opened doors smoothly to new friends who are also part of the same 'family'.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
Whilst sometimes there are cultural or linguistic misunderstandings and life and work are never 100% plain sailing, I can 100% say I have had some great colleagues and made some great friends.
However, having worked in the same organisation for around 2 years it was time for change. I had explored freelance work when I left Namibia, but couldn't quite make it work, practically, at the time and then saw the role in Cambodia. Working in the development sector I have met some really interesting people who have chosen to go it alone, follow their dreams and set up something of meaning to them and the community they are working in. I find that Cambodia is a real hot bed of ideas, innovations, social enterprises and people stepping out on their own. This, combined with watching our students all pursuing their dreams and working hard, and being in the right place myself led me to my next step.
So, as of the start of August I chose to step out on my own, working with NGOs and foundations, doing some consulting and some training and sharing my professional knowledge to a wider audience. I am hoping to be able to collaborate with more organisations and share my knowledge as I learn from them too. Working in collaboration with our strengths to help amazing causes succeed.
From the start of August I was lucky enough to be begin a 6 month part time contract with an awesome US foundation. My role there is to help the NGOs they support in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with their strategy, communications and fundraising, reporting to donors, deepening relationships and identifying new NGOs to work with - among other things! The rest of my time will be spent freelancing and training and I already have a couple of things lined up here too.
I'm really excited to make my new move and hope this will be the next step professionally and also allow for a better work life balance too!
"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present." - Jim Rohn
Way back in 2014 when I arrived at the airport I was picked up by a couple of new colleagues, taken to my hotel and then out for dinner. Picked up the next day and taken to work so I could be sure where it was and given a really warm welcome from everyone working there. In the first week I was taken out for dinner, helped to buy a bike and when I went to find a permanent house my manager even helped negotiate my contract there.
The Khmer culture is very warm and welcoming and people do their best to make sure everyone is included. The organisation I joined refers to our colleagues as 'family' and once a part of that family always a part. When visitors come to meet us or friends of friends come to stay I have never known a culture who rallies round so much to make sure things go smoothly. So many people have been involved in our organisation over the years I found that mentioning where I was working opened doors smoothly to new friends who are also part of the same 'family'.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
Whilst sometimes there are cultural or linguistic misunderstandings and life and work are never 100% plain sailing, I can 100% say I have had some great colleagues and made some great friends.
However, having worked in the same organisation for around 2 years it was time for change. I had explored freelance work when I left Namibia, but couldn't quite make it work, practically, at the time and then saw the role in Cambodia. Working in the development sector I have met some really interesting people who have chosen to go it alone, follow their dreams and set up something of meaning to them and the community they are working in. I find that Cambodia is a real hot bed of ideas, innovations, social enterprises and people stepping out on their own. This, combined with watching our students all pursuing their dreams and working hard, and being in the right place myself led me to my next step.
So, as of the start of August I chose to step out on my own, working with NGOs and foundations, doing some consulting and some training and sharing my professional knowledge to a wider audience. I am hoping to be able to collaborate with more organisations and share my knowledge as I learn from them too. Working in collaboration with our strengths to help amazing causes succeed.
From the start of August I was lucky enough to be begin a 6 month part time contract with an awesome US foundation. My role there is to help the NGOs they support in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with their strategy, communications and fundraising, reporting to donors, deepening relationships and identifying new NGOs to work with - among other things! The rest of my time will be spent freelancing and training and I already have a couple of things lined up here too.
I'm really excited to make my new move and hope this will be the next step professionally and also allow for a better work life balance too!
"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present." - Jim Rohn
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