OUR TEAM
Phan Lim Dara
Director / SociologistDara 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.
Wayne Matthysse
FounderWayne 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. In February of 2002, Wayne took up residency at the Wat Opot Project and has overseen its growth and development since that time.
Hong Pheap
Kitchen Staff / Nighttime CaregiverHong Pheap has been living and working at Wat Opot since March 2006. She lives here with her teenage son, Touri (her son, Lan Krome, died at Wat Opot in 2012). She is employed as a cook, and lives in and manages the boys dorm.
Keo Sitha
Teacher / TutorSitha 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.
Dul Channly
Kitchen StaffChannly has been with Wat Opot since 2002 and is in charge of the kitchen. Her son, Tay-Wong spends most afternoons at Wat Opot.
Chom Tuoch
Preschool TeacherTuoch has been with Wat Opot since 2017 and is responsible for our preschool age children during the day. She is a teacher as well as a caregiver.
Melinda Lies
Programme Coordinator - FinanceMelinda 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.
Paul Phall
Night CaregiverPaul has been with Wat Opot since 2009 and is responsible for the nightly upkeep of the young boys and their dorm. He also makes sure they do their homework and gets them ready for school in the morning.
Noch Sophong
Night time CaregiverSophong has been with Wat Opot since 2016 and is responsible for the nightly care (bathing, brushing teeth, clothes, etc.) of our youngest children. She then gets them ready for the day each morning.
Phean Pheab
HandymanPheab has been with Wat Opot since 2018 and is responsible for general upkeep of our buildings, grounds and gardens and our animals.
Song Phahna
Social Worker / TutorPhahna has been with Wat Opot since2017. He assists our director in social work aspects such as family visits and community support. He also tutors the children as needed.
Touch Som Oeun
Social Worker / Handy manOeun grew up at Wat Opot and has a degree in Engineering. He has been employed with us since 2019. He assists our director in social work aspects such as family visits and community support but also is responsible of our grounds and gardens.
Khin Sina
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. As of 2020, he is doing this for us Pro bono.
Nget Then
Night Time SecurityThen has been with Wat Opot since 2016. He works to keep our property secure in the evenings and assists if any property issues arise, such as a power or water outage.
Ear
housekeeping staff / animal maintenanceEar has been with Wat Opot since 2016 and is responsible for the upkeep of the volunteer dorm and helps out with our animals and in the kitchen as needed.