OUR TEAM

Wayne Matthysse

Founder

Wayne began his work in Cambodia with the Catholic Office of Emergency Relief and Refugees in 1998, where he met Mr. Vandin San. Together they created the organization, Partners in Compassion, to help the victims of HIV and AIDS. After extensive research into the needs of these victims they decided to build a hospice. In February of 2002, Wayne took up residency at the Wat Opot Project and has overseen its growth and development since that time.

Dara Lim

Director / Sociologist

Dara has an undergraduate degree (2010) in Psychology and worked for our Youth in Transition program from 2012 – 2014. He then worked for another NGO as a Counselor/Social worker with a focus on reintegration and family assessments. He started working part-time with us Jan. 2016 and then full-time June 2016.

Melinda Lies

Programme Coordinator - Finance

Melinda initially came to WOCC in fall 2010 as a volunteer and as so many do, she immediately fell in love with the place and its inhabitants. Unlike others, though, she was in a position to stay and now calls Wat Opot home. Melinda is the resident Mommy and her duties are as varied as the children in her care.

Sitha Keo

Teacher / Tutor

Sitha has been with Wat Opot since 2008 and is responsible for tutoring, but helps out where needed either mending clothes, caring for the preschoolers or just hanging out with the kids.

Channly Dul

Kitchen Staff

Channly has been with Wat Opot since 2002 and was initially hired by Wayne to cook for him (as he grew tired of Khmer food). Her son, Tay-Wong (who is in the 1st grade) sometimes spends time at Wat Opot.

Hong Pheap

Kitchen Staff

Hong Pheap has been living and working at Wat Opot since 31 March 2006. She lives here with her 2 children, Kunty and Tori (her son, Lan Krome, died at Wat Opot in 2012). She is employed as a cook, although she helps with the general care of some of the younger kids.

Pheab Ho

Handyman

Pheab has been with Wat Opot since 2009 and has either built or renovated every building on the property. He is skilled in every aspect of the property from electrical, to construction, to the grounds and gardens.

Sophong

Nursery Caregiver

Sophong has been with Wat Opot since 2016 and is responsible for the nightly care (bathing, brushing teeth, clothes, etc.) of our young children in the nursery. She then gets them ready for the day each morning.

Paul Phall

Night Caregiver

Paul has been with Wat Opot since 2009 and is responsible for the nightly upkeep of the boys and their dorm. He also makes sure the younger boys are dressed and ready for school each morning.

Sina Khin

Youth-In-Transition Coordinator (part time)

Sina grew up at Wat Opot and has a degree in law and is well versed in the Ministry of Social Services requirements for residential care of children. Sina is based in Phnom Penh and has run our Youth in Transition program since Jan 2016. He manages many aspects of the Phnom Penh students’ lives such as checking their school attendance, grades, housing, and finances.