Seiha joined ISF in March 2011. She came in to interview for a position as HR manager. However, her talent and passion for more were immediately clear and she was offered a position as Operations Manager of ISF’s Stung Meanchey Education Centre. Seiha soon made this role her own and when ISF started thinking of expanding its operations to another area, she was the natural choice to set-up our second Education Centre. Together with Vicheka, Seiha researched areas in Phnom Penh that were most in need of ISF’s work and they eventually settled on Chbar Ampov. In August 2012, Seiha officially became Operations Manager of ISF’s Centre 2.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen at ISF in the time you have worked here?
How much it’s grown! When I joined there were just 100 kids, now there are more than 500. I’ll never forget September 3rd 2012, when we officially opened our second Education Centre. We started in Chbar Ampov with just 50 children and now there are more than 150! But more than just the size, the quality of our support has grown. We now offer healthcare and support to the community. I’m so happy to see what we’ve been able to achieve with our children and their families.

What has been your biggest challenge working at ISF?
In general I would say that we can’t accept as many children as I would like, also the Chbar Ampov centre is running out of space! Apart from this practical challenge I also found it challenging when staff come to me for advice on students’ behavioural problems. A lot of our students need extra help. In 2014 I participated in an emotional excellence training course, which has helped me a lot in learning how to address these problems. I shared my knowledge with the teachers and it has really changed the way we deal with behavioural issues.

What is your favourite part about working for ISF?
There are so many, it’s difficult to pick just one! I think it would have to be the people. Everyone in my team is so motivated and supports and cares for each other. It makes it a joy to come to work every day.

What’s been happening in Chbar Ampov?
The biggest change was that we moved to a new building. As the number of students and staff has grown so much that the old building was no longer sufficient. In our new school we are be able to welcome more students and start setting up a computer class.

If you had a magic wand, what would you change?
I would make it so that we have the space, money and capacity to take in all the many children who wanted to join ISF. I would also create another ISF school in the provinces, so children from rural areas can also benefit.