Te Keosokphanita (Merrilee Jacobson) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 2025 from Build Bright University. As a volunteer teacher at HVTO since 2018 Nita acquired an appreciation and displayed an aptitude for all aspects of the organization. Since graduating she has worked at HVTO as an Administrative Staff member. In this capacity she was a primary source for the student information shown below.

Yorn Kimeng (Leslie Hanes) received a Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 2024 from Build Bright University. She works as a Receptionist at the Cambana Residence in Siem Reap.

Chhou Bunchhin (Thomas O’Neil and Mary Ann Kennedy) received a Bachelor’s Degree in IT in 2025 from Build Bright University. The recent troubles with Thailand gave Bunchhin the desire to serve in the Cambodian Army where he is hoping to improve their IT capabilities. He is in line for additional IT training with the military, but in the meantime is serving in an infantry support role in Preah Vihear Province near the Thai border.

Pen Rothana (Maureen Noland) received a Bachelor’s Degree in 2025 from Vanda Institute. She is working as a Cashier at Mouy Houng Car Wash in Siem Reap.

Song Sika (Cece Libby Simon) received her Bachelor’s Degree in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) from Build Bright University in 2026. She has continued as an English teacher at HVTO 2 and is now the Assistant Coordinator of Sponsorships where she works with Sinh Song (Stan and Ellie Nice).

Roeum Dourong (Bill Wadsworth) received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 2025 from Build Bright University. He works as a Site Engineer at Emart 24 in Tboung Khmum Province where he is responsible for leading, organizing, and supervising construction activities.

Yon Veha (Bill Wadsworth) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Vanda Institute in 2026. He works as an Accounting Assistant at Kaorm, a high-end restaurant serving Khmer cuisine in Siem Reap.

Phorl Sopheap (Ken and Amy Parker) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology (IT) from Build Bright University in 2026. He works as a Computer Technician at Kano Tech Store in Siem Reap.

Sros Tan (Jeff and Barbara Godfrey Roberts) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Vanda Institute in 2026. She works as a Laboratory Clerk at Vision 26 Optical Manufacturing (Cambodia) Ltd. in Khchas Village, not far from Siem Reap.

Ty Ren (Lisa Taylor) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in management from the University of Southeast Asia in 2024. He works in the Food and Beverage Section of the Service Department at Sre Lodge Community in Kampot Province. Here he is responsible for everything from guest registration to bartending.

Deth Saporn (Diane Linfors) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Build Bright University in June. During the last two years of her studies she taught English at the Hikari International School in Siem Reap. Here she impressed them to the point that she is now their Head of Teachers.

Long Voleak (Cokkonis Estate) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Build Bright University in 2023. She is now working as the Sales and Public Relations Officer at the Youth Dream Fulfillment Association in Siem Reap. This NGO provides free hospitality skills to disadvantaged youths in Cambodia. Revenue generation and student job placement are among her many responsibilities in this organization.

Voeut Sreyvek (Cokkonis Estate) received a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Build Bright University in 2024. She works as an Administrative Staff Intern at ZODO Tire Co., Ltd. in Siem Reap.

Mich Samai (Deanne and John Bailey) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Vanda Institute in 2025. She works on the coast in Sihanoukville as a Stock Controller at the Eden Beach Resort where she is responsible for purchasing supplies and maintaining inventory for the entire facility.

Norn Vannak (Jeff and Barbara Godfrey Roberts) graduated in 2026 with a degree in accounting from Vanda Institute. He is working as the Human Resources officer for Retro Investment Co. Ltd. in Poipet City in Banteay Meanchey Province.

Smouth Somnang (Moira and Paul Larsen) received her Bachelor’s Degree in history from the Cambodia University for Specialties in 2025. She works in Product Flow and Audit where she maintains inventories of medicines, beauty products, vitamins, and dietary supplements at The Warehouse Pharmacy in Siem Reap.

Van Vira (Seng Kaing and Others) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Cambodia Specialties in 2025. She teaches fourth grade students at the Bridge of Hope General Knowledge School in Siem Reap. Many former students that have officially ‘dropped’ from the program have prospered because of the head start given them by HVTO. More than can be mentioned have donated services, whether that is in designing a website, providing manpower in construction, or a myriad of other large and small acts of giving. The government increasing teacher pay nationwide has motivated many to become public school teachers.

Phai Phak (Cokkonis Estate) was sponsored in 2021 in the ninth grade. He started college at the Cambodia University for Specialties (CUS) and is now studying at the Provincial Teacher Training College in Siem Reap. He will become a public-school teacher later this year.

CLEAN WATER PROJECT:
A Drop of Life (ADOL) began working with HVTO in 2016 and they have been our partner ever since. Comprised of a group of like-minded supporters from Hong Kong, they have performed miracles in our Clean Water Initiative. They support all our clean water projects, including hand and machine drilled wells, water filters, toilets, as well as every other program in which HVTO is active. Established in 1998, A Drop of Life is a Hong Kong registered NGO that strives to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for the needy. ADOL funds clean water projects in Cambodia, mainland China, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, and Hong Kong. For more information on ADOL please visit their website at: https://adropoflife.org/?lang=en HVTO, now mostly through our partnership with ADOL, has seen the drilling of a staggering 10,581 wells since inception. Through this partnership our core area has expanded from the area immediately around HVTO 1 to five large districts along the northern shore of the 120-mile long Tonle Sap Lake. These wells now provide clean water to nearly 52,000 people in rural Cambodia that would otherwise have little or no access. The 195 proposed wells for the remainder of the year will complete the 1,200 well commitment that ADOL made for 2025.

ADOL’s support has also provided jobs for dozens of workers. Accounting for all the workers and supply chains associated with projects in which HVTO is engaged, it is safe to say that hundreds of families are benefiting through the HVTO work made possible by ADOL. For the last ten years ADOL has financed the drilling of between 600 and 1,600 wells per year. Although we cannot match the financial resources of ADOL, never forget that HVTO continues to be committed to drilling water wells for smaller sponsors.

Water Wells
Prior to the work of HVTO, much of the water consumed in our area of activity came from pits dug in the earth’s surface that collected rainwater runoff. With both human and animal waste also collecting at the surface this created a horrendous water quality issue, affecting everything from general health to infant mortality. A huge step in addressing this has come with the drilling of water wells, which uses the natural filtering system of the earth to remove pathogens.

ADOL sponsored this well given to Chang Chhoeung and her family of eleven in January. They live in Romduol Reul Pouk Village, which is located about 30 kilometers from Siem Reap. In areas where hard bedrock, in this case limestone, is close to the surface we cannot hand-drill wells using the quick and inexpensive water-jetting technique. Here we must utilize a rotary drilling rig to penetrate deep enough in this hard rock to encounter adequate volumes of clean ground water. Wells drilled in this manner are more costly and therefore must serve multiple families. Since 2023 we have completed 30 of these wells which now serve 1,214 people, or roughly 40 persons per well.

This machine-drilled well was completed in February 2026 for families living in Lvea Village in Trapeang Commune located about 13 kilometers south of HVTO 1. Pictured here are members of the Oeurn Yorng family. Serving 25 people, this well was provided by A Drop of Life (ADOL). Euromonitor International is a partner of the ADOL group.

Water Filtration – Bio Sand Filter (BSF)
HVTO has installed 5,720 Bio Sand Filters, serving 27,564 people. As with wells, the vast majority of these were made possible by the supporters of A Drop of Life (ADOL). See the 2022 newsletter for a diagram of a Bio-Sand Water Filter; HVTO Newsletters | HVTO-Homestay Volunteer Teacher Organization

Sanitation – Toilet Project
This project is part of our water project because it addresses the long-term solution to rampant surface water contamination that Cambodia endures. A large organizational task for the HVTO Team, we use a subcontractor to employ 15 men to perform this work. The 1,325 toilets constructed thus far serve nearly 6,000 people and form the core of the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) area that we are expanding. See our 2022 newsletter (link above) for a diagram of a composting toilet.

An ADOL toilet provided to the Dos Lon family and underwritten by Black Rock was completed in Trach Pok Village. BlackRock employees travel to Cambodia where they fund “roll up their sleeves” projects to build facilities and instruct local students.

COMMUNITY PROJECT:
Home Building
Since this program began in 2016 HVTO has secured funds to build 70 houses. Designated only for the homeless and the most poorly housed families in the community, 269 people have benefitted from this program. Special mention goes to Kathrine J. Burns who has financed 16 houses, Bruce and Jeanene Weiner who have supported 8 homes, and William and Kelly Persky who recently paid for the building of 5 homes.

Sor Sall and his wife Dar Sreya with their children stand with builders, Meng Seaknam, the HVTO Director (Friends From Oklahoma) and relatives in front of their new home, which was completed in February 2026. This home was provided by Hsiu Kuo and Yumei Chen and is in West Sreth Village, not far from the HVTO 1 facility.

Food Aid
On Christmas Eve 2025 HVTO provided funds to distribute food packages to 127 families. This ceremony was overseen by HVTO staff and took place at the pagoda in Koki Village located adjacent to our central hub in Sreth Village. See below. These families were displaced due to the unrest which began in July 2025 near the Thai border. This one-time aid package helped these families who have, since the end of hostilities, returned to their homes. The Food Aid program was begun with ADOL in June 2020 and has been joined by many HVTO donors. It augments the government assistance package for the IDPoor-1 rated families and to date has seen 1,077 food packages delivered to thousands of the local poor. The items included in the standard food package are listed below.

6. 12 cans of fish
7. 8. 6 bottles of fish sauce
6. bottles of soy sauce
9. 4 cakes of soap

SUPPORT:
HVTO could not accomplish its mission without the support of individuals and organizations sharing a commitment to our core programs. Viking and Studiosus tour groups have historically been one of our main sources of support and our partnership with ADOL has pushed our non-educational programs to undreamed of levels. In the last year, the support we received, especially from Bruce and Jeanene Weiner, Frank and Donna Youdelman, and Ken and Amy Meyer, has had a tremendous impact in boosting our educational programs. A family deserving special mention visited the HVTO center just this month. Sasha and Nadya Kolykhalov are sponsoring two students and were so taken with our other programs that they have also financed the building of 4 houses, 10 composting toilets, 10 water wells (hand drilled), 10 bio sand filters, and one machine drilled well. Patti Baker HTVO.USA@gmail.com, a former Viking guest, is the President of Homestay Teachers Volunteer Organization, Inc. (HTVO), a 501c3 organization incorporated in Florida. We are also incorporated in Utah where another former Viking guest, Rob Brunt rob@HVTO.org, can also provide tax relief to US citizens funding HVTO in Cambodia. To learn more please visit our website at: HVTO-Homestay Volunteer Teacher Organization | or call Patti at 1-239-682-0067. Frank Youdelman is our HTVO Vice President. He lives in Arizona and can be reached at 1-520-465- 7625 and youdel@aol.com. Supporters and friends of HVTO have an opportunity to strengthen our mission and secure our financial future. You can establish your legacy through gifts to our endowment fund held in Cambodia or through a personal endowment that continuously supports our organization. We encourage you to consult your financial advisor when making these important decisions. If you would like to volunteer administrative assistance, please contact us.

Below is a summary of our various project costs:

Sponsorships:
All-inclusive costs for student sponsorship.

Grades 1-12: $412 per year ($30 monthly stipend – uniforms, supplies, etc.)
University: $800 per year (Tuition, fees, and books)

Water wells: $325 (including plaque)
Donors receive a photograph of the completed well with information on the name, size, and GPS- location of the family for whom the well was drilled.

Water Filters: The cost for a Bio-Sand water filter is $75

Toilets: The cost for a composting toilet is $500

House Building: The cost for a standard new home for a needy family is $3,500

Food Aid: The cost of a food package is $65

Thank you for reading about our continuing story and we trust you share our sense of accomplishment in HVTO’s continued progress.

Sim Piseth
HVTO Founder
Tel: +85512237889 |+855974506969
Email: sim@hvto.org | sim2piseth@gmail.com
Website: www.hvto.org
Personal Profile: https://web.facebook.com/simpiseth81