Cambodia program

Graduate students selected for the Mary T. Scholars Summer 2024 Program will be working primarily with the Khmer Vulnerability Aid Organization (KVAO) and Tiny Toones. Both local partners are Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The internship is for a period of 5-6 weeks. Students are expected to be engaged in all program activities and complete all readings and assignments.

KVAO is a non-governmental humanitarian organization easing the integration process of Cambodian refugees deported to Cambodia. Its goal is “to assist Cambodian citizens being deported back to Cambodia with integration into Cambodian society to reduce violations of human rights, vulnerability to conflict, and to assist returnees with establishing stable, constructive, and independent lives in Cambodia.”

Tiny Toones was unofficially founded in 2005 and years later transformed into a successful educational and social space for street children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The mission of Tiny Toones is “to provide a safe, positive environment for at‐risk youth to channel their energy and creativity into the arts and education, empowering them to build self‐confidence in their daily lives, aim for better employment possibilities, and feel supported pursuing their dreams.”